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MILTON MASAICHI OSHIRO, 59, of Kane`ohe, died Dec. 12, 2006. Born in Honolulu. Retired Alpha Glass glazier. Survived by wife, Anne; daughter, Lisa Ishikawa; mother, Betty; brothers, Wilfred and Alan; sisters, Lynette Uehara and Karen Ogawa; one grandchild. Visitation 10 a.m. Saturday at Ko`olau Golf Course ballroom; memorial reception 11 a.m. Arrangements by Moanalua Mortuary.

One Mililani Middle School teacher has pleaded not guilty to a petty misdemeanor charge of smoking marijuana and another is scheduled to be arraigned in Wahiawa District Court today on the charge.

KAILUA — A curtain of mesh will be strung along a hillside at the entrance to Kailua to help protect motorists from rocks that tumble from the slopes, especially during heavy rains.

WASHINGTON — Many Democrats talked openly during fall campaigns about faith and its influence on their policy positions to counter the religious right, but Hawai`i`s two House members are skeptical about the role of religion in policies set by the new Congress.

A living and healthy coral reef provides dramatically more protection from tsunami and storm surf than a degraded or dead reef — an argument for strong protections for reefs against sediment runoff, uncontrolled dredging and climate change, researchers say.

HILO, Hawai`i — The nonprofit arm of the Connections New Century Public Charter School last week paid $2.25 million to buy the landmark Kress Building that houses the school, transforming the organization into a significant downtown Hilo landowner with tenants that include an ice cream shop and movie theaters.

The state is standing behind its decision not to activate civil defense alarms after the Oct. 15 Big Island earthquakes and blackout, but a committee of government, media and telecommunications representatives is poised to offer recommendations on how to keep the public better informed in future emergencies.

In the noisy dining room at the River of Life Mission, Frank Stover could hear echoes of his youth — of a time, decades past, when he was just as hungry as the homeless men and women who gathered yesterday for a Christmas meal.

For Lee Matsumoto, it`s $15. Donna Chin maxes out at $20. Grant Fukuoka will go $25, under the right circumstances.

Seniors who want to participate in the Medicare Part D prescription drug program have until Sunday to enroll or possibly face higher prices.

Legal fireworks sales start today but authorities are urging residents to stay away from dangerous illegal fireworks that began pouring into the Islands immediately after Thanksgiving.