Governor will veto redundant bill

Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie is planning to use his veto pen for the third time since taking office.

The Democratic governor has notified the Senate he intends to veto a measure extending the work of a commission overseeing federal stimulus spending in the state.

The legislation duplicates another law Abercrombie signed last month that gives the commission six more months, until Dec. 31, to complete its work.

Abercrombie also has killed measures allowing buyers of new cars three years to get a vehicle inspection instead of two years, and granting the state auditor the explicit authority to inspect documents and financial affairs of the Department of Taxation.

Abercrombie said in December he wants to keep vetoes to an “absolute minimum” because he prefers to negotiate with the Legislature beforehand.

Military offered $7,000 scholarships

Fifty scholarships are available to members of the military, their families and veterans to pursue a degree through the University of Phoenix’s Hawaii campus.

University officials said Friday a total of $350,000 is available for scholarships of $7,000 each.

The university offers on-campus and online courses that can be taken anywhere in the world.

Campus director Kristine Averill said the scholarships are meant to show appreciation for the military.

Applications are being accepted through Aug. 11.

Recipients are to be notified by Veterans Day.

Drug crimes, thefts result in probation

WAILUKU, MAUI >> A judge has ordered a Kula man to complete a drug treatment program for a battery of crimes including the theft of ATMs and escaping from jail guards last year at a funeral.

Harry Kahaleauki was sentenced Friday to complete a 30-month program for substance abuse and was placed on five years’ probation.

Circuit Judge Richard Bissen said the sentence was “almost an unbelievable deal.”

Kahaleauki pleaded no contest to the charges, which include theft and drug-related crimes.

Kahaleauki will have 32 convictions in three criminal cases on his record.

The Maui News reported that prosecutors supported the agreement, saying it was positive Kahaleauki is addressing his drug addiction.

Deputy Public Defender Greg Ball said Kahaleauki could face 80 years in prison if he doesn’t complete his treatment.

Nursing Ph.D. to be offered by UH-Hilo

The University of Hawaii at Hilo will begin offering a doctorate in nursing beginning in the fall of 2012.

It will be the third Ph.D. program at UH-Hilo, after pharmaceutical science and Hawaiian and indigenous language revitalization.

“As we were looking at graduate programs to meet the needs of our students, we heard that our grads didn’t really want to leave to go on to study advanced practice,” Kay Daub, director of the School of Nursing, told the Hawaii Tribune-Herald. “We said, ‘Never mind offering a master’s (degree). Let’s go all the way.’”

The Doctor of Nursing Practice Program will focus on primary care, cultural diversity, health disparities, health promotion and disease prevention in rural communities, Daub said.

The UH Board of Regents approved the program on May 17.

Just Desserts

The Blood Bank of Hawaii is holding its “Give A Pint, Get A Pint” promotion today. People who donate blood at the Dillingham donor center, Manoa Marketplace, Kailua Town Center or Kapolei police substation will get a coupon for a free pint of Baskin-Robbins ice cream. Call 845-9966 or visit www.bbh.org to make an appointment.