Rail bidder extends proposal

Disqualified rail bidder Bombardier Transportation sent a letter this week to the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation board to ask for a reconsideration.

The Canada-based rail car maker was disqualified because of a sentence in its proposal that the city called a condition. The city disqualified the company and awarded the contract to Italy-based Ansaldo Honolulu.

Bombardier said it is extending the validity of its proposal to Oct. 31, and that it did not get a fair chance in presenting evidence before a state hearings officer, who dismissed the company’s appeal in July.

Meanwhile, Bombardier is suing the city and state for what it says was a wrongful disqualification of its bid. The other losing contractor, Sumitomo Corp. of America, has decided not to sue, but also extended the validity of its bid through Sept. 22.

Candidates sought for Board of Regents

Nominations are being sought for seats on the University of Hawaii Board of Regents.

The Regents Candidate Advisory Council announced Tuesday the start of the recruitment process to fill four seats on the board. The positions are for Honolulu, Kauai County, a student and an at-large seat. The seats are occupied by regents whose terms end June 30.

The council is required by law to present to the governor the names of at least two finalists for each seat at least 120 days before the expiration of a term. The governor’s appointments from that list are subject to state Senate consent and confirmation. The five-year terms begin July 1.

Governor picks deputy director for budget

Gov. Neil Abercrombie has appointed a deputy director for the Department of Budget and Finance.

The governor’s office announced Tuesday Luis Salaveria was to start Thursday. He replaces Dean Hirata, who resigned on July 30.

Salaveria previously worked as finance manager for Kaiser Permanente Hawaii. From 1997 to 2001, he was chief budget analyst for the state Department of Defense.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Gaze at stars at Haleakala

Haleakala National Park is holding a star-watching program from 7:30 to 8:30 tonight in Hosmer Grove, just inside the park.

Weather permitting, the park staff will point out the Little Dipper, the North Star (Hokupaa), the bright stars Vega and Arcturus (Hokulea) and major constellations, including Scorpius (Maui’s fishhook), Aquila the Eagle and Cygnus the Swan. Viewers also will see a thin crescent moon in the constellation Libra.

Participants are advised to dress warmly and, if possible, bring a red-filtered flashlight and binoculars.

The program is free, although space is limited. Entry to the park costs $10 per vehicle. Call 572-4402.

TV set stolen from center

Kauai police are investigating a burglary at the Kekaha Neighborhood Center earlier this week.

The burglars entered the Kekaha Neighborhood Center on Elepaio Road sometime between 9 p.m. Monday and 4 a.m. Tuesday and stole a 32-inch Sony television, police said.

Anyone with information should call 241-1711 or 241-1887.