O'ahu briefs

Advertiser Staff

Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser

Woman killed by trolley in Waikiki

An 85-year-old woman was struck by a trolley bus and killed yesterday in Waikiki.

Police said the woman was crossing Aloha Drive at about 9:20 a.m. when she was hit by the bus, which was turning left from Seaside Avenue.

The woman was taken to Queen's Medical Center, where she died. Her name was not released yesterday, but police described her as a local resident.

Police said speed and alcohol were not factors in the accident and no arrests were made.

Army to review security efforts

Security precautions at Schofield Barracks, Fort Shafter and the Hale Koa will be tightened through May 15 while the 25th Infantry Division (Light) and U.S. Army Hawai'i conduct a force protection exercise.

Additional guards will be placed at gates and random identification checks will be made, according to Army officials. Some additional barricades will also be added during the exercise.

Lt. Col. Mark A. Milley, division operations officer, said this is an annual requirement that has been planned for almost a year.

"The exercise will allow commanders to examine and fine-tune security measures and procedures," Milley said.

Traffic is expected to slow at Army gates during the operations and military community members, civilian employees and contractors are asked to have vehicle registration and pass requirements up to date.

LEEWARD

Man found dead at harbor

A 51-year-old man found dead in the water off the Wai'anae Boat Harbor has been identified as Steven A. Christian, according to the medical examiner's office.

Fishermen leaving the harbor at about 4 a.m. yesterday noticed the man face down in the water and called police.

Fire Department crews brought Christian ashore; he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police classified the case as an unattended death and are waiting for autopsy results.

Library closed for repairs

The Wai'anae Public Library has closed for up to eight weeks while the building's air-conditioning system is replaced.

The library's bookmobile will be parked outside the building until the project is completed.

EAST HONOLULU

School to hold May festival

Holy Trinity School will host May Fest, a day of games, prizes and entertainment, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Koko Head Elementary School.

Maunalua, Halau Hula O Lealani, Epic Session and Kalakoa will entertain. There will be a silent auction, train rides, crafts and a white elephant booth.

All proceeds will benefit the school's scholarship fund. For more information, call the school at 396-8466.

CENTRAL

Troops to train in Louisiana

Nearly 3,700 soldiers from Schofield Barracks 25th Infantry Division (Light) and U.S. Army Hawai'i will be sent to Fort Polk, La., this week to participate in training at the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The exercise will allow division soldiers to conduct realistic joint and combined arms training. The training will focus on developing soldiers, leaders and the 2nd Brigade Combat Team and its supporting units for success on future battlefields.

During the month-long operation, soldiers will deploy over long distances, attack in various environments and defend against counterattacks.

"A rotation at JRTC is a great opportunity for the brigade combat team to train exactly as it would fight in war," said Col. Andrew B. Twomey, commander, 2nd Brigade.

WINDWARD

Event planned at Kailua heiau

Ulupo Heiau in Kailua will be the backdrop for dancers and historians as they tell their stories about Kailua and Kawai Nui Marsh from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at the heiau next to the Windward YMCA.

Kumu John Lake and his halau will share the chants and dances of Kailua and Kawai Nui, and he will also explain about the proper protocol when visiting a heiau.

Kawao Durant of the Kailua Hawaiian Civic Club and Muriel Seto of the Kawai Nui Heritage Foundation will tell the mo'olelo, or traditional stories, associated with the area, including those about the early navigators.

The heiau is adjacent to Kailua United Methodist Church, 1110 Kailua Road, where parking will be available, organizers said. Guides will provide directions to the heiau. No parking will be available at the Windward YMCA.

Participants should bring mats or folding chairs and water.

The event is sponsored by the Kawai Nui Heritage Foundation, Ahahui Malama i ka Lokahi and the Kailua Hawaiian Civic Club, who request a donation to support their efforts to care for and educate about Kawai Nui.

For more information, call Chuck Burrows at 595-3922 or e-mail him at cburrow@aloha.net