| Aquarium old, small ... just right
The little kids only want to see Nemo. They race past the clams, anemones, nautilus and octopus, and press their sticky fingers to the tank searching for the orange-and-white celebrity look-alike. When it darts from the coral, they shriek, "NEEEEEEEMO!" in ear-splitting unison, and their trip to the Waikiki Aquarium is, to them, a rousing success. So why do we need a Kaka'ako aquarium, again? The Waikiki Aquarium is small and old and just about perfect. Its brochures remind visitors that it is the third-oldest public aquarium in the United States, founded in 1904 which makes it old in a venerable, historic way, not old in a crusty tank, stinky hallway sort of way. Sure, some of the ulua orbiting the shark tank look a bit threadbare, but the grampas in their hanapa'a jackpot shirts gaze through pterygium-filled eyes and imagine hooking that big old bugga' with the help of the mo'opuna clinging to their legs.
Passage to Peru
It has been many months since my trip to Peru and I can still see the mountains taking shape at dawn, smell the bread baking in the local panerias and feel the warmth of the people who have smiles as authentic and bright as the colorful clothing they wear. .
Judge orders Smith's body preserved, denies DNA test
LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- A judge has refused to order an emergency DNA test of Anna Nicole Smith for a paternity suit involving her infant daughter, an attorney for Smith says. But, the judge ordered Smith's remains preserved until a hearing on February 20, the lawyer for a former boyfriend told reporters Friday. "My client wants legal custody," said Debra Opri, attorney for photographer Larry Birkhead, who claims he is the father. "He wants to very much to be with his child." Two men are contesting the paternity of 5-month-old Dannielynn, and experts say the custody decision could determine the child's inheritance. (Watch CNN legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin sort it all out ) Smith, a former Playboy playmate and tabloid fixture, died Thursday after collapsing at a Florida hotel.
For victim's husband, closure tops revenge
TAMPA - Just before 4 p.m. Friday, a jury awarded Brenda Lee Brown's husband and son nearly $7.6-million for her death at a car wash. Jurors said the business also should be punished for intentionally neglecting customer safety, paving the way for an even larger verdict. McNeil "Mac" Brown turned to his attorney, Steve Yerrid. They had shared one goal with this lawsuit, and Brown knew it had been achieved. "We have justice done here," Yerrid said. "I agree," said Brown. Minutes later, Yerrid rose to address jurors. His words shocked even the car wash owners. For Brown, $7.6-million was enough. "He believes enough pain has been inflicted," Yerrid said of his client. "We withdraw our claim for punitive damages." The show of humanity had practical prudence.
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