Democrats appeal open-primary ruling
Hawaii Democrats are appealing a federal judge’s ruling that upholds the state’s primary election system, which allows voters to choose which party’s primary they want to vote in no matter how they’re registered.
Party officials filed a notice of appeal in federal court in Hawaii on Thursday. The notice says the party is appealing to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
The party argues that allowing every registered voter to participate in its nominations is equivalent to forced political association.
A federal judge in Hawaii ruled last month that the party failed to prove the system is unconstitutional.
Piano students star in Christmas concert
The 38th annual Christmas in Ensemble concert, featuring students of the Ernest Chang Piano Studio, will be held at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at Mae Zenke Orvis Auditorium, University of Hawaii-Manoa campus.
The musical presentation will feature 43 students ranging in age from 5 to 17. Their program will include both traditional and contemporary Christmas music and highlight Tchaikovsky’s "Nutcracker Suite," arranged for two pianos with story narration by David Traylor.
The concert is presented by the Honolulu Chinatown Lions Club. Tickets are $15 general admission and $10 for students and seniors. Proceeds will benefit numerous music organizations.
For more information, call 536-0218.
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Star-Advertiser staff and Associated Press
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Multiple crash sends 5 people to the hospital
Five people were hospitalized after a three-car crash occurred Friday near the Kauai Humane
Society.
At about 2:43 p.m. a Dodge Challenger traveling eastbound on Kaumualii Highway crossed the centerline and collided head-on into a truck traveling westbound, according to a news release by the Kauai Police Department. The truck became fully engulfed in flames.
A third vehicle traveling westbound on the highway sideswiped the Challenger after the vehicle swerved into the eastbound lane in an attempt to avoid colliding with the crashed vehicles.
Five people were transported to Wilcox Hospital. Police said one person was in critical condition.
Both lanes of the highway were closed for more than three hours.
Driver unhurt after SUV slams into restaurant
Kauai police say speed and alcohol may have been factors in an accident Thursday night in which a 23-year-old man drove his sport utility vehicle into
a Kapaa restaurant.
The restaurant was closed when the incident occurred at 9:55 p.m.The driver was not injured.
Police said the Jeep Cherokee came to a stop upside-down on the lanai of Lemongrass Grill Seafood and Bar. The driver, who was the sole occupant, made his way out of the vehicle unharmed.
The restaurant sustained damage to its rock wall, glass doors, tables, chairs and decorative items.
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Star-Advertiser staff
