Good evening, Hawaii. The National Institutes of Health is funding a new University of Hawaii at Manoa project that aims to use artificial intelligence to diagnose mental health conditions and developmental delays; as the 29th Men’s March Against Violence made its way through downtown Honolulu today, organizers hope that it’s just the first step toward greater awareness on how men can help stem domestic violence in the community; and the National Science Foundation is awarding four University of Hawaii-led projects with RAPID grants, totaling about $800,000, in the wake of the Maui fires. Read about the important stories you need to know.
Your Weather Planner
Trade winds will return from east to west across the state today. It will be mostly dry except for Kauai, where a few showers are possible through tonight. Mostly dry trade wind weather will stick around through the weekend into early next week with windward and mauka areas seeing the highest rain chance.
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Today's Big Stories
1. University of Hawaii project creates AI to diagnose mental health conditions
The National Institutes of Health is funding a new University of Hawaii at Manoa project that aims to use artificial intelligence to diagnose mental health conditions and developmental delays, according to a news release.
Assistant professor Peter Washington, with the information and computer sciences department, hopes his project will create tools to help people by making it easier to diagnose them.
“Diagnostics for childhood and adolescent psychiatric conditions are inaccessible to many populations due to long waiting lists, lack of health insurance and the absence of proximity to the nearest available and affordable clinician,” Washington said. “We hope that the project will result in convenient and affordable psychiatric health care for families living in places such as rural Hawaii.”
The NIH gave Washington a $2.18 million New Innovator Award, which is part of the High-Risk, High-Reward Research program. His grant is one of 85 awarded in 2023, which total $187 million, and support innovative scientists who are pursuing behavioral and biomedical research projects.
2. Men's March Against Violence: The first step toward change
As the 29th Men’s March Against Violence stepped off Thursday in downtown Honolulu, event chair Keli‘i Beyer points out it’s one action that demonstrates the need for healing and support for victims of domestic violence.
“It’s really kind of symbolic of the bigger issue,” he said in an interview with Spectrum News ahead of the march.
“Obviously, we’re not going to end domestic violence just by marching through downtown Honolulu.”
The march culminated in a rally at Iolani Palace that featured speakers talking about how domestic violence has affected them, and what can be done to combat domestic violence.
“So, maybe being inspired by those men that are speaking is something that those who join us … can bring back to their community, their families, neighborhoods and friendships,” Beyer said.
This year’s theme is “Men Are Allies.”
“That’s what we’re doing. We’re trying to call the men to the table to help, you know? I feel fortunate to have been able to be one of those men for so many years, and to really look at women as the leaders and guidance and leadership from them.”
“The main issue is to raise awareness to the impact of domestic violence here in Hawaii and calling out men in our community to not only see the importance of awareness, but take personal accountability for solving the problem.”
For more information on how to get involved, visit the Domestic Violence Action Center website.
3. National Science Foundation awards UH-led projects $800,000 in grants in wake of Maui fires
The National Science Foundation is awarding four University of Hawaii-led projects with RAPID grants, totaling about $800,000, in the wake of the Maui fires, according to a news release.
NSH’s RAPID funding is given to proposals having a severe urgency regarding accessing data, facilities or specialized equipment, including quick-response research on natural disasters.
Three of the projects are focused on using data science to help prevent and react to future wildfires in Hawaii. The fourth project involves trauma-informed education.
Click the link above for a description of each of the funded projects.
4. 3 residential zones in Lahaina to open Monday and Tuesday
Maui County announced Zones Zones 3A, 3B and 3C will open to owners and residents with vehicle passes from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. beginning Monday, Oct. 9, and Tuesday, Oct. 10, according to a news release.
Vehicle pass applications and on-site distribution for Zones 3A, 3B and 3C will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 6 and Saturday, Oct.7, at BOTH Lahaina Civic Center and the County of Maui Kalana O Maui building lobby area.
For details on re-entry to impacted areas; safety information for returning to one's property; drinking water and wastewater; maps and data; fire debris removal; recovery phases; financial and housing assistance; and business support, visit mauirecovers.org.
5. Threat sent via social media to Keaau High School
Hawaii Island police are at the Keaau High School campus on Thursday after a parent notified school officials that an anonymous threat had been made via social media, according to a news release.
At 7:28 p.m. Wednesday, a Keaau High School official called Puna police officers after a concerned parent had informed them of a threatening social media message from an unknown person.
Police have also opened a first-degree terroristic threatening investigation.
The threat made to Keaau High School comes after an anonymous threat was made via social media to Keaau Middle School. School officials informed police of the threat Monday evening and increased their presence at Keaau Middle School on Tuesday.
The Hawaii Police Department reminds the public that law enforcement takes threats toward any school seriously.
They ask anyone who may have information regarding this incident to call Detective Patrick Aurello at 808-961-8810 or the police non-emergency line at 808-935-3311.
Your Notes for tomorrow
Friday, October 6
- U.S. Employment Report
- Nobel Peace Prize winner announced
- NATO Parliamentary Assembly Annual Session
- U.S. Supreme Court meets in private conference to discuss cases and vote on petitions for review
- Atlas V rocket launch, carrying Kuiper satellites for Amazon
- What: Eddie Griffin - Hawaii Tour 2023
- Where: Hawaii Theatre Center | 1130 Bethel St., Honolulu | 808-528-0506
- Details: Actor and stand-up comedian Eddie Griffin brings his 2023 tour to Oahu, 8 p.m. Oct. 6. Tickets.
- What: Maui Benefit Concert Cruise
- Where: Maalaea Small Boat Harbor | 101 Maalaea Boat Harbor Rd., Wailuku
- Details: Pacific Whale Foundation hosts concert cruises with all proceeds going to the PWF Maui Disaster Response Funds featuring appetizers, drinks and a live music performance by Jason Tepora on Oct. 6. Tour departs at 5 p.m. Check in at Pacific Whale Foundation Ocean Store at Maalaea Harbor Shops. Tickets.
- What: Lopaka Kapanui’s Ghost Stories of Hawaii
- Where: Kahilu Theatre | 67-1186 Lindsey Rd., Waimea | 808-885-6868
- Details: Master storyteller Lopaka Kapanui kicks off the spooky season with stories of spirits, curses, possessions, Night Marchers, moʻo wahine, the Goddess Pelehonuamea, and more, 7 p.m. Oct. 6. Tickets.
- What: Aloha Friday Art Night
- Where: Along Kress St., Lihue
- Details: Island artists put their passion on display, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., along Kress Street. Whether they’re inspired by the beauty of Kauai, by the places they’ve been to or their cultural roots, these artists share their talents with the local community on creative, colorful murals.
For more on these and other events, see this week's HI Out & About.
In Case You Missed It
Former Hawaii football coach Bob Wagner, right, talked to BYU coach LaVell Edwards in an undated photo. Wagner was the only UH coach to beat BYU multiple times in a career. (Photo courtesy of Wagner family)
Former Hawaii football coach Bob Wagner dies at 76
Bob Wagner was able to have it both ways.
The Hawaii football coach who blended a Midwestern, blue-collar work ethic with the empathy of the aloha spirit was remembered on Wednesday as a worthy steward of the program at a key point in its history, and someone who changed lives by giving chances to those with few of them.
“In a day and age when it's all about the sizzle, it's all about the swag, Coach Wagner was somebody who really laid a legacy of, if you just do the hard work and do it right, things pay off,” said Victor Santa Cruz, a Wagner recruit and linebacker on UH’s 1992 WAC championship team who became the first member of his family to graduate from college. “And even then, if people don’t appreciate it, you’ve still got your integrity to (fall) back on.”
Wagner had battled health issues in recent days, according to his family. He died on Tuesday night at his home near Waimea on Hawaii Island. He was 76.
Wagner, a native of Newark, Ohio, worked at UH for 19 total seasons, nine as head coach. “Coach Wags,” as he was affectionately known, led the Rainbows to three signature victories over rival Brigham Young, and presided over the program’s first conference title and first two bowl games, including the prestigious 1992 Holiday Bowl in San Diego.
Wagner’s wife Gloria and daughter Christy wrote as part of the announcement of his passing on Wednesday: “As a husband and father, he always took time to celebrate the small, special moments in life that became our family traditions. Admiring beautiful sunsets, listening to the surf, and enjoying our family's favorite desserts together were just a few of them. He loved Hawaii and its people and knew he was loved and admired by family and friends before his passing. He shared in recent days that as a young boy growing up at Newark, Ohio, he never imagined a wonderful life like this.”
Services have not been announced as the family requests privacy.