A reader notes that the trial of Gerald Paakaula, charged with viciously beating an Army couple at Waikele Center early this year, is scheduled to begin with jury selection next Tuesday and Wednesday.

Another reader notes:

The day most of us got our MidWeeks in the mail — with financial adviser Mark Teruya’s cover-page ad for his services — was the day the State had pulled his license to operate. He’s now under indictment for fraud.

Actually, while the point is well taken, this comment points out something that was not made clear in most of the reporting on the matter. Teruya is not “under indictment”, despite the overall impression left by the media. The legal case filed against him alleging investment fraud is a civil lawsuit filed by the Securities and Exchange Commission. That’s quite a different matter than the SEC filing a case alleging criminal fraud.

The Newspaper Guild’s 5-year contract with Gannett’s Honolulu Advertiser, negotiated in mid-2003 but retroactive to June 2002, has expired without an agreement on a new contract. I presume they’re now working on a temporary extension of the existing contract. Any updates on progress, or the lack thereof, would be appreciated.

Check out the upcoming International Waikiki Hula Conference, scheduled for mid-November, which is being produced by an old friend, Marnie Weeks.

Speaking of hula, a story in today’s Contra Costa Times looks at the Northern California region’s past and present ties to the islands, including several active hula halau.

You don’t have to look far to uncover connections between Hawaii’s first star turn and today’s. For instance, the Danville dance school Na Hula ‘O Moku’aina is run by Catherine U’ilani Blankenship. She happens to be the granddaughter of Henry Kailimai, who composed the song “On the Beach at Waikiki,” which was performed at the Panama-Pacific International Exhibition to demonstrate the uke’s appeal.

Hula, the gentle dance form that embodies the aloha spirit, is taught at numerous schools around the region, including David Bustamante’s Da Island Way in Concord and Betty Leiala Hughes’ Dances of the Pacific in Walnut Creek.

In any case, the story has several tidbits that might come in handy.

I also enjoyed reading a review of the L&L Hawaiian Barbecue in Vacaville, which advises: “Tables are too close together to discuss sensitive business information with ease.” No, but anyone here would know it’s not really the place for a power lunch to discuss top secret business.

I missed the oral arguments in this case before the state’s Intermediate Court of Appeals yesterday:

NO. 27996 – Wednesday, September 12, 2007 at 10:15 a.m.
RIGHT TO KNOW COMMITTEE, a Hawaii non-profit corp., et al., Plaintiffs-Appellees/Cross-Appellants, and STATE OF HAWAI`I, Intervenor-As-A-Plaintiff-Appellee/Cross-Appellee, vs. CITY & COUNTY OF HONOLULU; et al, Defendants-Appellants/Cross-Appellees. (Declaratory Judgment)
Attorney(s) for Defendants-Appellants/Cross-Appellees
Carrie K.S. Okinaga, Corporation Counsel
Don S. Kitaoka and Reid M. Yamashiro, Deputies Corporation Counsel

Attorney(s) for Plaintiffs-Appellees/Cross-Appellants
Jeffrey S. Portnoy and Elijah Yip (Cades Schutte)

But the recordings should be available online soon. Just keep checking the Supreme Court’s web site.