A proposal that would allow the Royal Kunia Golf Course to open moved a step closer to reality yesterday at the City Council.

The course, which was completed and has been ready for play since 1994, never opened because the developer didn't pay all fees promised to the city.

The full council approved asking the city Department of Planning and Permitting to come up with an agreement under which the course could open under its current owners. Council Chairman Jon Yoshimura has been working toward a settlement.

He favors a plan to allow JAC Hawai'i, a major lender for landowner Liongain Hawai'i, to pay $2.5 million as well as $1 a round for each round of golf played on the course "in perpetuity."

The council will make a final decision on the terms of the agreement after it receives a recommendation from the planning department.

Pearl City High to perform

The Pearl City High School Symphonic Band will perform a concert Sunday to help finance a trip to Japan for the Hamamatsu International Band Festival March 23-25.

The concert will be a preview of music to be performed in Japan and will begin at 8 p.m. at the Pearl City Cultural Center next to the school.

Trumpet virtuoso Allen Vizzutti will be the featured guest artist and will also accompany the ensemble of 104 students to Japan.

Tickets for the concert cost $7; $5 for children.

The group also will perform at 6 tonight at Center Stage at Ala Moana Center.

For more information, call 453-6500 or 453-6523.

WINDWARD

Engineers give channel OK

The Army Corps of Engineers has determined that a Waimanalo outlet channel at the Waimanalo Reservoir is not in violation of the U.S. Clean Water Act and does not need any additional permits.

"There will not be any cease-and-desist notices," said Alex Kufel, with the Army Corps Public Affairs Office.

Members of the corps and state and federal officials visited the site on Mahailua Street March 8 after a complaint by EnviroWatch Inc. to determine the extent of the project and whether permits were required.

The project, to repair and stabilize the embankment surrounding a 60 million-gallon reservoir for crop irrigation, is a joint effort by the state Department of Agriculture, state Department of Land and Natural Resources, the Windward O'ahu Soil and Water Conservation District, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Also at issue was whether the proper historic preservation review was conducted.

Kathleen Dobler, with Natural Resources Conservation Services, said an earlier environmental impact statement for the original reservoir project stated that there would be no impacts on cultural resources.

However, a cultural investigation is being conducted after EnviroWatch reported finding charcoal remains that it said could be a sign of historic significance. An expert visited the site last week and is preparing a report, said Dobler.

The state stopped work on the project March 6 in light of the charcoal findings.

LEEWARD

Wai'anae school needs help

Volunteers are needed for a community support day March 24 at Wai'anae Intermediate School.

Workers will help paint portable classrooms and curbs and clean up trash piles on campus.

Donations of paint and snack foods are also being sought.

The school will be closed for spring break from Monday to March 30, and officials are hoping students can return to a freshly cleaned and painted school.

For more information, call 697-7094.

HONOLULU

Keiki bike rally slated Sunday

A Kids Right to Bike Rally will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Sunday at Nu'uanu Elementary School.

The rally and ride with kids, teachers, parents and public officials is intended to help encourage more and safer bicycling throughout Hawai'i.

Included will be a short program of speakers and song, followed by a neighborhood bike ride led by fourth-grade graduates of BikeEd Hawai'i.

There will be prizes for all keiki participants, including a chance to win a new bike. There also will be free bike inspections and refreshments. Loaner bikes will be provided.