Honolulu Star-Bulletin from Honolulu, Hawaii • 8

A-8 Tl'ESDAY, VM AHY 25, 2000 Sm-IUnxETiN From Page One Surgeon general unveils national health plan STATE: Governor won't cut benefits to current employees Gov. Cayetano' key proposals persuading people to exercise more, the surgeon general's Healthy People 2010 program will target depression, substance abuse, sexual behavior, homicides, access to health insurance and even fatal car crashes. These categories have a direct effect on the health of Americans, Satchersaid. "The underlying premise of Healthy People 2010 is that the blueprint aims for 30 percent of Americans to exercise 30 minutes a day and reduce by half the number of overweight or obese children, now at about 11 percent of kids To get there, the surgeon general will begin measuring 10 "leading health indicators" that address a broad range of health concerns. Aside from traditional health goals such as increasing the number of kids getting vaccinated and Associated Prett WASHINGTON The surgeon general today unveiled a 10-year health plan for America that won't be popular with couch potatoes.

It focuses on getting people to quit smoking, cutting drug use and pushing teens to either abstain from sex or use condoms. Surgeon General David Satchels Health indicators The surgeon general's list of health indicators, and objectives for a healthy United States, under the Healthy People 2010 initiative: ill li 111 Hi li Reduce the number of people using tobacco. Increase the number of adolescents engaging In vigorous physical activity three or more days per week for 20 or more minutes per occasion. Encourage adults to engage in moderate physical activity for at 2 from A-l majority package includes a bill that would, among other things, cut dental care, vision and group life insurance benefits for employees and retirees. But Cayetano, while stressing the need to make government wore affordable, clearly staked out his position.

"We will not propose anything that compromises the benefits promised to current state employees," he said in his State of the State address. Hsslth Insurance Regarding health insurance, Cayetano proposed replacing the Public Employees Health Fund with a union-employer trust, basically turning the administration of the program, including negotiating rates with insurers, to the unions. Currently, employees can choose between state and unions plans, and in recent years the unions partly because they have more flexibility and are attracting the healthier, younger workers have negotiated better rates. itmJa. i i uuuci me vuyeiauu proposal, abstinence among adolescents.

Increase the proportion of young children who receive all universally recommended vaccines. Increase the number of the Institutionalized elderly who are vaccinated against influenza and pneumococcal disease. 3 Increase the amount of treatment for those suffering from depression. Reduce the number of deaths caused by car crashes. I 1- fv v.

i STORM: Fast-moving nor'easter cuts power, from A-l Guardia and Washington Reagan "-v- National Airport, and others had M' nt door this morning in delays and cancellations, includ- i I door this morning in Workersata car wash in Union City, N.J., spread salt and shovel the walk in an effort to keep up with wind-driven snow that fell at up to 3 inches an hour this morning. the government would contribute a flat amount as yet unspecified for health premiums for employees and retirees. The government now picks up roughly 60 percent of the cost for employees and 100 percent for retirees hired before July 1996. Cayetano said he believes the unions will be able to negotiate better deals than the state. But administration officials said the level of benefits would be determined by how much the state contributes and what the unions can negotiate.

They refused to rule out the possibility of benefit reductions, though that's not Cayetano's intent "It's too soon to say," said Wayne Kimura, deputy director of Budget and Finance. "We can't promise that the benefits will be exactly like they are now." Changes for new hires For future hires, Cayetano is proposing that the state stop pay ing lor dependent coverage when those workers retire. He also wants to delete survivors' benefits for new hires and limit to 10 days each their annual vacation and sick leave, up to a maximum of 14 days depending on years of service. State and county workers now get 21 days each of sick leave and vacation after one year's service the most generous policy in the nation, according to a 1998 survey Of government benefits. When those amounts are added Unsolved G0S8S EIOOll iiIiIIg'g help ByJaymesK.

Song Star-Bulletin HE nude bodies of two young women were found last year one in a trash bag next to a Dumpster on a 1 1 I health of the individual is insepa rable from the health of the largei community," Satchersaid. i The new program is the first establish a set of measurements The surgeon general's office wil collect data from state and loca health agencies and from federa agencies that compile health sta tistics to track each year whethe' Americans are reaching goals se by the program in the 10 areas. Reduce the number of homicides. Reduce the proportion of people exposed to bad air. 1 Reduce the number of nonsmokers exposed to tobacco smoke.

Increase the number of people with health insurance. Increase the proportion of people who have a specific source of ongoing care. Increase the number of pregnant women who begin prenatal care in the first trimester of pregnancy. closes airports 3-r? i y1 Associated Pre card," said Buffalo residen Clorise Duncan. "It's a pun sheet of snow, and it's just si pretty, so pretty." i About 370,000 customers ii North and South Carolina wen Without power early today.

Somi 70,000 customers in northen Georgia were still without elec tricity today after a weekend ice storm that blacked out approxt mately 500,000. SLAYINGS Total more than doubled FItOM A-l 1998 average of 31 homicide per year. The first half of 1999 was rela tively quiet but the second hal 1 recorded 31 homicides, whicl averages to more than one pet son a week being slain on Oahu, Carlisle said 1999 stands ou especially because 1998 was I remarkable year with so fei homicides. i Police detectives said it is dif ficult to pinpoint what causei the more than 100 percent in crease in killings from 1998 1 1999. Carlisle plans to analyze th cases over the next few month! to see if he can pinpoint a rea son and to see what can be don( to bring the numbers down.

One notable decrease: Then were no crime suspects shot death by police officers las year. In 1998, three men wen shot and killed by Honolulu po lice officers. The homicide rate in Honolu lu, which has a population about 800,000, excluding tourists, is still low compared other major metropolitan area in the United States. i The San Francisco Police De partment which patrols a popu lation of about 750,000, reportec 67 homicides last year, while 4( people were slain in Seattle The Seattle Police Departmen! serves about 550,000 people. One trend Carlisle has wit nessed is more "mainland type" crimes being committee here, such as the robbery of th American Savings Bank in Ka hala, in which gunshots wen fired, and the Xerox shootings.

These two "mainland-type' cases, however, were committee by longtime Hawaii residents Some highlights of Gov. Ben Cayetano's civil service reform pro- posals: Set a flat amount for government contributions for employeere- tiree health benefits and have the unions take over administering the system, including negotiating 1 rates with insurers. :1 Stop paying for dependent cover- ,1 age for new hires when those em- I ployees retire. Delete survivors' dependent ben- efits for new hires. Limit new employees to 10 days I vacation and 1 0 days sick leave annually and permit the amounts to grow to 14 days maximum, based on years of service, current maximum is 21 days, re- spectively.

Eliminate overtime pay in calcu-; 'il lating retirement benefits. 4 Create a more timely and flexible 1 recruitment and job classification system. Eliminate binding arbitration and give public employees except po- i 4 lice and firefighters the right to il Grant counties power to negotiate theirown union contracts and es- tabiish separate personnel sys- terns. Create incentives such as cash buyouts or early retirement pack- i ages for employees whose posi- tions will be abolished via govern- ment restructuring Adopt a performance-based pay system. Source: Governor's office to the 13 paid holidays the second-most generous holiday policy in the nation Cayetano noted that government employees could only work 9'2 months a year.

"That's not good for productivity," he said. Union officials said they were disappointed that benefits even if limited to future hires are being targeted. "It's troubling to see because it reflects going backward," said Randy Perreira, deputy executive director of the Hawaii Government Employees Association, the state's largest public-sector union. John Radcliffe of the University of Hawaii faculty union questioned whether cutting benefits for future hires would hurt recruiting efforts. But Cayetano coupled his benefits proposals with measures designed to make government more accountable and efficient, such as adopting performance-based pay incentives.

In Chin F'cBohald Age: 31 Wherewhen found: Not found. Background: Worked as a hostess at Club Chance Bar in the Pearl Kai Shopping Center. Has two young children who live in In Chin McDonald Texas. Circumstances: Last seen leaving work the night of Nov. 1 9.

She never returned home and her car was left at her workplace. The next day, her purse was found on a bike path near Blaisdell Park In Pearl City. Suspect description: None. A possible suspect vehicle is an older white cargo van, which is believed to have dropped McDonald off at the park. Additional: Friends say she was excited about seeing her children in a couple of weeks.

DeCaires said McDonald showed no signs of suicide and went to work consistently. "People just don't disappear off the face of the Earth," DeCaires said. Edwin Iwata Age: 57 Wherewhen found: His body was discovered on the sidewalk along Halekauwila Street fronting the Circuit Court building at 4:20 a.m. July 14. Background: Edwin Iwata Worked as a custodian at Circuit Court since 1988.

He may have been involved in gambling, although police do ret krow if if wis a motive. Iwafa was wel -like; bv ro-voters and peers who d'scnt as a hard worker and unassuming. Circumstances: Stabbed to death. The assailant also severed part of his genitalia. Suspect description: A Polynesian male in his 30s, 5 feet 11 inches tall, wearing I least 30 minutes on a regular basis, if not daily.

Reduce the number of obese people. 1 1 a I Reduce the number of adolescents and adults who have used illegal substances in the past 30 days. Reduce the proportion of adults who have engaged in binge drinking during the past month. Increase the use of condoms among those who are sexually active, while encouraging 'v; ing Boston's Logan International Airport. "There's a potential that we might not get flights in and out at all today," said Mike Blanton, spokesman for Raleigh-Durham International Airport, where snow was 17 inches deep on runways.

In Washington, most federal agencies were shut down. However, the U.S. Supreme Court stayed open for business as usual, thanks to Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist, a native of snowier Wisconsin. Legislative sessions were called off in Delaware and Penn-sylvania, and Delaware Gov.

Thomas Carper had to cancel his State of the State address for a second time in a week because of snow. North Carolina Gov. Jim Hunt declared a state of emergency today, urging everyone to stay home, and the National Guard was activated to help clear streets and rescue stranded motorists. The storm's arrival was a surprise in the Northeast "We knew it was coming. It just decided to hit us a day earlier," said weather service meteorologist Tim Morrin in New York.

"It's an intense winter storm, about as intense as we thought it family about 30 minutes earlier to say she was getting a ride home with a friend. Suspect description: Was seen in the company of a man driving a green sport-utility vehicle with a trailer hitch and military sticker. He is described as black, in his early 30s, 5 feet 10 inches tall, 185 pounds, with a clean-cut look. EfnetA.Haho Age: 45 Wherewhen found: Found unconscious and beaten in the parking lot of Kuhio Park Terrace in the early morning hours of Nov. 10.

He died shortly after. Background: Has family at Kuhio Park Terrace. Circumstances: was intoxicated when he was beaten. Police believe robbery was a motive. He was found without a wallet or any identification.

Suspect description: None. Michelle A. Beksisger Age: 24 Wherewhen found: Her body was found nude and badly decomposed in a Waialua cane field off of Kaukonahua Road on Aug. 10. Background: AKA Melissa Ann Sormanti, Michelle Benslnger she was a Waikiki prostitute with seven convictions for prostitution, plus seven other criminal convictions.

Circumstances: City medical examiners believe she was dumped in the cane field about two weeks before being found. The cause of her death, listed as "sudden," is unknown. Her car was found on Kunia Road. Suspect description: None. Efnet Haro front Raleigh and knew immediately he wouldn't make it to work.

"The snow has completely covered my car," he said. "It's gone. I can't even see it" Snowfall totals of 14 inches were forecast for Virginia and the Washington suburbs, with 18 inches possible in eastern Pennsylvania. Virginia hospitals called for volunteers with four-wheel-drive vehicles to take doctors and nurses to work. "We're having a great response," with about 50 volunteer drivers, said Mark Canada at Johnston-Willis Hospital north of Richmond.

Schools and businesses were closed from South Carolina to Maine, including 1,000 schools in southeastern Pennsylvania and nearly all schools in New Jersey and Maryland. Slippery roads caused hundreds of traffic accidents. Four traffic deaths were blamed on the weather in South Carolina with one in North Carolina. Two children walking to school in heavy snow fell into the Housatonic River at Great Bar-rington, this morning. One was rescued and divers searched for the second.

Major Eastern airports closed today, including New York's La- shorts and a red, short-sleeved shirt with dark stripes was seen running away from the scene. KahnSoo Kim Age: 41 Wherewhen found: Found with a gunshot wound to his head, seated in his taxicab, a 1984 Buick station wagon, at 2:52 a.m. Sept. 2 in the parking lot of Kailua Beach Park. His Hahn Son Kim car was still running with the taxi-dome light on.

Background: A SIDA taxi driver, Salt Lake resident and father of two young boys. Circumstances: SIDA does not make pickups in Kailua. Investigators believe he may have picked up a passenger who told him to drive to Kailua. He was last seen dropping off a fare at a Waikiki hotel at 1:30 a.m. He may have picked up someone else in Waikiki, but he did not radio it in.

The last contact with the taxi dispatcher was at 1:15 a.m., when he reported an airport pickup. Suspect description: None. Additional: Investigators say robbery appeared to be a motive, although no money was taken. Evelyn S.A.Luxa Age: 20 Wherewhen found: Found unconscious and severely beaten on the side of the H-2 freeway near the Ka Uka off-ramp at 8 a.m. Sept.

6. She died Oct. 2. Background: A Evelyn Lika Salt Lake resident and a graduate of Moanalua High School. Circumstances: She was last seen leaving the.

Venus Night Club on Kapiolani Boulevard about 1 a.m. She called her could be, and it's hitting us with its full potential." "It's a nor'easter, with a capital N. Actually, you can capitalize all the letters with this storm," said Jack Boston of the private Ac-cuWeather weather service in State College, Pa. Tiny Buffalo, S.C., seemed more like Buffalo, N.Y., with more than a foot of snow on the ground. "It's just like a Christmas Jubilee "Waile" Lum Age: 21 Wherewhen found: Body was found nude inside a plastic trash bag and dumped next to a Dumpster at Beretania Florists on Aug.

24. Background: Started hanging around China Jubilee 'Mails' Lum town at the age of 13. Lum's mother, Leilani Casper, said Lum got mixed up with the wrong people at a young age. Police believe she was involved in prostitution. Lum was to be married Nov.

26, about a month after her body was found. Circumstances: Lum was four months pregnant when she was either strangled or suffocated. Suspect description: A van, described as a white or light-colored Ford Econoline, was seen picking her up in Chinatown. The van was built between 1987 or 1990 and has swing-out doors on the passenger side. Police say there are only a handful of such vans on the island.

SengThoksLovan Age: 37 Wherewhen found: His body was found decomposing in heavy shrubbery next to a pineapple field in Kunia at 7:30 a.m. Oct. 22. Background: He was a farmer who worked around Oahu. Ssng Thong Lcvan mostly in Kahuku.

A friend said Lovan had no family or permanent home. Circumstances: Seng Thong Lovan died of a single gunshot wound. He was identified when his fingerprints matched those in a computer databank of people arrested statewide. Police have no motives. Suspect description: None.

Ll. Beretania Street, the other in a desolate field in Waialua. A taxi driver, last seen in Waiki-ki, was found slumped over in his still-running cab at Kailua Beach Park with a gunshot wound to his head. These are three of seven homicides last year that police have not been able to solve. And, without witnesses coming forward or tips from the public, the killers may never be found.

The unsolved homicides do not include the disappearance of In Chin McDonald, who has not been classified officially as a homicide victim, but whose disappearance is considered suspicious, said Honolulu police Det. Letha De-Caires, coordinator of CrimeStop-pers. Call 955-8300 if you have information on any of these crimes. A "common thread" in some of the cases is that the victims were involved in high-risk occupations or lifestyle choices, DeCaires said. Police solve or close an average of 90 percent of all homicide cases, said acting homicide Lt Anderson Hee.

"Last year was about 80 (percent), so we're a little lower. But we're still in the ball park." Without the arrest and conviction of a suspect a victim's family and friends may never have closure, DeCaires said. Police are asking the public's help in solving the slayings of the following victims (McDonald is 1 A.