Electrical wiring sparked UH fire HONOLULU (AP) — Faulty wiring is being blamed for a fire in a building where University of Hawaii records were stored. ADVERTISING Fire officials say it appears electrical wiring in the fiscal building at the
Electrical wiring sparked UH fire
HONOLULU (AP) — Faulty wiring is being blamed for a fire in a building where University of Hawaii records were stored.
Fire officials say it appears electrical wiring in the fiscal building at the Manoa campus overheated Sunday, causing an estimated $1.25 million in damage and concerns over the records and documents inside.
University officials have said payroll and student loan functions were backed up electronically and will continue without interruption.
U.S. OKs plan for Race to Top
HONOLULU (AP) — Amendments to Hawaii’s Race to the Top plan have been approved but the U.S. Department of Education still wants to see progress in reforming public schools.
In December, Hawaii was warned its $75 million grant is in jeopardy because of unsatisfactory progress. Hawaii must now prove that progress is being made when officials from Washington, D.C., visit the islands next month.
A letter to the governor from the Education Department says Hawaii must provide “clear and compelling” evidence of progress. Recently OK’d changes include using $3 million to develop a teacher evaluation system that takes into account student academic growth instead of using the money for implementation.
Cruise line to pay back wages
HONOLULU (AP) — Norwegian Cruise Lines has agreed to pay more than $526,000 to more than 2,000 cruise workers in Hawaii after federal officials investigated minimum wage and overtime violations.
The U.S. Department of Labor said Wednesday its investigation found Norwegian paid employees straight time for mandatory Saturday emergency drills, regardless of the number of hours they had worked weekly.
The investigation also found workers were paid less than minimum wage because Norwegian took large meal and lodging credits. Housekeeping staff weren’t paid for time spent cleaning cabins between cruises. And employees weren’t paid for hours worked before their scheduled shifts.The Pride of America is the only U.S. flagship in the Miami-based company’s fleet. The vessel’s ports of call are in Hawaii.
Livestock deaths are investigated
KAUNAKAKAI, Molokai (AP) — Police are investigating the shooting deaths of livestock on a Molokai ranch.
Richard and Roxanne French say a horse and three cows were shot and killed in December. Then last week, two pregnant mares, a stud and a cow were shot in a breeding pasture. One of the horses is clinging to life, while the other animals have died. Maui County police are investigating and there are no suspects.
Roxanne French says each mare is valued at $25,000 but the emotional loss runs deeper. She and her husband are working on putting together a reward for information. The French family leases land near the Kalaupapa Lookout on the north side of the island.
