By local and wire sources
Local tour operator makes Hot Blue 100 List
Hawaii Forest and Trail has been named to Islands Magazine’s 2007 Hot 100 Blue List, recognizing the top 100 leaders and innovators in sustainable tourism. The list was featured in Islands December 2007 issue.
One of just five tour operators in the state to be named to the list, Hawaii Forest and Trail’s Stewardship Plot was recognized as No. 40: “Weed a Volcano.” The Stewardship Plot is one of several special ecological areas inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, a World Heritage site and UNESCO International Biosphere Preserve. Inside these designated areas, park officials study the impact of invasive species on native habitats and various methods of controlling them.
Hawaii Forest and Trail’s Kilauea Volcano Adventure includes a stop at the stewardship plot where guests have a chance to help preserve the native rainforest by removing kahili ginger and other invasive species. As the only tour operator given the responsibility of helping to manage these sensitive areas, Hawaii Forest and Trail guests and guides devoted more than 140 hours in 2007 toward the preservation of native forest habitat in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
VLSH recognizes dedicated volunteers
Volunteer Legal Services Hawaii held a kahiau luncheon March 12 at the Sheraton Keauhou Bay Hotel to recognize individuals and law firms that made significant contributions of their time to various programs serving those in need in 2007. The Hawaiian word “kahiau” was chosen to signify the spirit of selfless giving without an expectation of return demonstrated by the volunteers. Judge Ronald Ibarra, Billy Kenoi and Margaret Masunaga were guest speakers at the event.
The following organizations and individuals were recognized: Spirit of Kona Kahiau Award, Edmund Haitsuka; Top Kona Law Firm Award, Carlsmith Ball LLC; Na Loio Puuiwai Aloha Award, Julie Kai Barreto and Wally Gallup Jr.; Kona Community Partner Award, Family Support Services of West Hawaii; Thank You for Volunteering, John Alexander, Victoria Kalman, Stephen Whittaker, Leon Pasker, David Smith, Sarah Smith, Carol Jung, Victor Cox, Laura Sanders and David Harada-Stone.
With over 25 years of service in Hawaii, VLSH has hundreds of volunteers active in a variety of programs, from neighborhood legal and tax clinics to training and assistance programs for nonprofits, the homeless and children. With a continuing mission to provide free or low-cost legal help to low-income residents and the nonprofit organizations serving them, VLSH is always in need of new volunteers. Lawyers, law students and others looking to contribute their services in this way are encouraged to visit VLSH on the Web at www.vlsh.org or call Anne at 528-7058 or Maria at 522-0676.
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA
Eli Lilly pays $15 million to settle lawsuit
Eli Lilly and Co. and Alaska announced a $15 million settlement Wednesday in the state’s lawsuit over the use of the drug Zyprexa in its Medicaid program.
The deal ensures that Alaska will be treated as well as any other state that may settle with Lilly over similar claims involving the drug, which is used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
The state sued for hundreds of millions of dollars to cover costs to Medicaid for treating what it says are Zyprexa-related health problems. Attorneys for the state said Lilly failed to adequately warn doctors and patients that using the prescription drug could lead to severe obesity, elevated blood sugar and diabetes because company officials worried that consumers would pick an alternative.
“We believe this is a good result for the state of Alaska and the Department of Health and Human Services,” Alaska Attorney General Talis Colberg said in a prepared statement.
The agreement included no admission of wrongdoing by Lilly.
Nina Gussack, who headed the Lilly trial team, called the settlement a “very positive resolution.”
“It certainly, in light of the state’s initial views about what this case was valued at, represents an extraordinary resolution for Lilly,” Gussack said.
Court-ordered mediation had been begun before jurors heard opening statements March 6 and culminated with the settlement Tuesday night. The company was confident in the defense it had presented so far, Gussack said, and the state likely recognized the value of Zyprexa and how it continues to be prescribed.
“I think against that background, resolving cases for relatively modest amounts, given the history here, is always a good thing for litigants,” she said.
Alaska sued Lilly two years ago. Lilly officials say the drug helps tame the most serious mental illnesses by eliminating hallucinations and allowing patients to function in society.
By local and wire sources