Newswatch
School alliance wins robotics title
An alliance of Waialua and Waiakea high schools won the VEX Robotics Tournament at the American School in Japan in Tokyo this month, beating teams from as far away as Thailand.
Two teams from Waialua, three teams from Waiakea and one team from Kohala competed against teams from Tokyo, Yokohama, Taiwan and Thailand. Waialua also won the Best Build award.
While in Japan the Hawaii students are visiting an underwater robotics laboratory in Yokohama as well as cultural sites across the country.
The Pan Pacific VEX Robotics Championships will be held Dec. 3-5 at the Hawai’i Convention Center.
Maui Council retains Mateo as chairman
Maui County Council Chairman Danny Mateo will continue in that position for the next two years, the Maui News reports.
During private one-on-one meetings, Council members also decided to elevate Council Member Joe Pontanilla to the vice chairman position, Mateo’s office announced Saturday. Both Pontanilla and Mateo will begin their final terms in January due to laws limiting Council members to five consecutive two-year terms.
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The members also decided to reorganize some of their committees by adding the Policy Committee, with Council Member-elect Riki Hokama as chairman; and the General Plan Committee, with Council Member Gladys Baisa as chairwoman. Gone, apparently, are both the Committee of the Whole and the Public Services Committee, which were led by members who will no longer be on the Council starting in the new year.
3 groups earn funds to tackle drinking issue
Lihue, Kauai » Kauai County Anti-Drug Office officials say three agencies have been awarded first-round contracts for underage-drinking prevention programs.
Hale Kipa received $85,000; Hale Opio, nearly $80,000; and Hina Mauka, more than $97,000.
The officials say the agencies will be implementing evidence-based programs at school- and community-based sites with prevention of underage drinking as their focus.
Funding for the programs is provided through a grant the county received from the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration through the state Department of Health’s Alcohol Drug Abuse Division.
Proposals are now being accepted for the second round of contracts for underage-drinking prevention programs.
