Honolulu Fire Department officials said the department responded to a report of an ordnance on the beach about 3:48 p.m. and secured the area until the Hazardous Materials Team arrived and determined that the flare should be turned over to the military.

The phosphorous device was in a canister. Used in night training to light up the sky, it apparently did not ignite and the parachute that allows the flare to drift to earth did not deploy. A firefighter at the beach said the canister was in the water for about a week.

Pedestrian still in critical condition

A 64-year-old 'Ewa Beach woman, who was struck by a car as she was trying to cross a street Sunday night, remained in critical condition yesterday at the Queen's Medical Center.

Police said the woman was hit about 8:40 p.m. on Kolowaka Drive, about 10 feet northeast of Waimomona Place in 'Ewa Beach.

A black Toyota Celica, driven by a 26-year-old 'Ewa Beach man, was traveling toward Kapolei when it struck the woman as she tried to cross Kolowaka Drive in a marked crosswalk, police said.

Police said lighting was good and speed and alcohol were not factors in the collision. It's unclear what color clothing the woman was wearing, police said.

New jury convicts Kona man of rape

KEALAKEKUA, Hawai'i — A Kona man, who won his right to a second trial on rape charges after claiming his attorney in the first was not competent, has been convicted again.

A Big Island jury last week found Garth Coleman, 31, guilty of attacking a five-year-old victim. Deliberations Friday lasted only four hours.

Judge Ronald Ibarra will sentence him July 12. Coleman faces a 20-year mandatory prison term.

Coleman was convicted a year ago for the October 1997 crime but later claimed his Kaua'i attorney was suffering from cancer and alcoholism and did not represent him effectively.

Coleman was represented in the second trial by deputy public defender Peter Bresciani.

Talk to discuss reef fish poisoning

WAIMEA, Hawai'i — A public program on how to avoid poisoning from eating "hot fish" will be conducted 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. June 22 at Thelma Park Memorial Library as part of Sea Grant Extension Service's Reef Talk series.

Dr. Joanne Ebesu will present new information about poisoning from Hawai'i's reef fish known as ciguatera and its possible causes.

For details, call the Sea Grant office in Kona at (808) 329-2861.

Isle cultural series to begin Friday

A series of festivals celebrating the various cultures of Hawai'i begins at 7 p.m. Friday in the Honolulu Hale Courtyard on South King Street.

The event, part of Hawai'i's Ethnic Heritage Series, will feature performances by Hula Halau 'O Kawaili'ula and the Makaha Sons.

Prior to the performances, the 2000 Aloha Festivals Royal Court will model Island cultural wear and will accept ho'okupa, a ceremonial offering, from 13 other cultural groups.

"Alamat At Kasaysayan Ng Lahi," a song and dance performance which honors Philippine independence, will take place at 7 p.m. Sunday.

For information, call the Mayor's Office of Culture and the Arts at 523-4674.

Man injured in crash upgraded

A 21-year-old Wai'anae man involved in an early-morning accident May 29 on Farrington Highway has been upgraded to guarded condition at the Queen's Medical Center.

According to police, the man was driving a blue 1995 Toyota Cressida Honolulu-bound near Keawa'ula Bay about 4:10 a.m. when he swerved off the road and hit a utility pole on the mauka side, causing the vehicle to flip.

He was airlifted to the hospital in critical condition.

Best essayists to win awards

An awards ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at Kapolei High School to recognize the best essay written by a ninth-grade student on the future of O'ahu's fastest-growing region.

The contest was created by the 'Ewa/Kapolei/ Honokai Hale Vision Team in partnership with the Center for Better Communities and sponsored by Chevron Hawai'i. The top prize of a $1,000 U.S. Savings Bond and a $100 Chevron gift certificate will be presented to the best essay writer.

Three other winners will each receive a $500 U.S. Savings Bond and a $50 Chevron gift certificate. The English teacher of each student winner will also receive a $25 Chevron gift certificate.

A 12-member panel judged the essays written by high school freshmen on what the "new city" will be like in the year 2020.

Runway work to increase noise

The state Department of Transportation is advising residents of 'Ewa Beach, Makakilo, Kapolei and Iroquois Point of additional aircraft noise due to runway closures at Honolulu International Airport tomorrow through Saturday. Runway 4R/22L will be closed tomorrow and Thursday from 8 p.m. to 5 p.m. and on Friday from 3 p.m. until Saturday at 8 a.m. to install airfield lighting.

Ho'olaule'a bash set for harbor

Valley of Rainbows is seeking food and craft booth operators and volunteers for its Ho'olaule'a Summer Bash to be held during the Ahi Fever Fishing tournament June 16-17 at the Wai'anae Boat Harbor.

Valley of the Rainbows is a nonprofit group that awards $1,000 each month to Wai'anae Coast elementary and high school students for extracurricular and educational activities.

The ho'olaule'a will be from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 16 and from noon to 6 p.m. June 17.

All proceeds will benefit the scholarship youth program.

For more information, call Ginger at 668-2314.

Water project to be discussed

The Kuliou'ou Kalani Iki Neighborhood Board will hold its monthly meeting at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the '¸ina Haina Public Library.

Up for discussion are Board of Water Supply construction project concerns for the Kuliou'ou Road/Summer Street area and reports from elected officials.

Call 523-4089 for more information .

It's pancake time for Lions

The Hawai'i Kai Lions Club will hold its annual pancake breakfast from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. June 17 at the Kaiser High School cafeteria.

This is the service club's 28th year serving breakfast to the community. It's the club's major fund-raiser for the year. Money raised will go to support education programs.

Last year, the group served more than 3,000 breakfasts.