O'ahu briefs
Advertiser Staff
CENTRAL
Arson in 'Ewa suspected
Arson is suspected in another Central O'ahu fire as two abandoned homes were damaged yesterday when a rubbish fire spread to the Varona Village in 'Ewa.
Five companies were called out to the area at about 11:45 a.m. and had put the fire out by 12:30 p.m., said Capt. Richard Soo, spokesman for the Honolulu Fire Department.
Authorities last week asked for help in catching the person responsible for a series of brushfires in Central O'ahu. The firebug is believed to be responsible for 15 small brushfires over the past three weeks.
Soo said yesterday's blaze started in a pile of lumber and rubbish likely dumped in the area by someone doing tree- trimming work.
Varona Village was built during the early 1900s to house sugar plantation workers, but today most of the homes are vacant and falling apart. Of the original 38 homes, only seven are occupied.
Soo asked residents to call 911 if they see someone starting a fire, or Crime- Stoppers at 955-8300 if they have other information.
EAST HONOLULU
School seeks fans for rooms
Haha'ione Elementary School is asking for help in purchasing fans for classrooms. The goal is to get two fans per classroom between now and Friday.
Donors can purchase a specific type of fan at City Mill in Hawai'i Kai.
For more information, call Leslie Sarale, fan drive coordinator, at 395-4019.
WINDWARD
Halau site to be discussed
People who oppose the location of a proposed Waimanalo canoe halau at Kaiona Beach Park will meet to discuss the issue at 5:30 p.m. today at the park.
About 170 people have signed a petition opposing the location of the new boat house and say they want it built at Waimanalo Beach Park.
The project is slated to be near the area where the Waimanalo Canoe Club now stores its boats and practices. The club says the practice site is the safest for its young crew members.
The City Council will decide tomorrow whether to issue a permit for the project.
LEEWARD
Pedestrian bill to be reviewed
A city bill to reform pedestrian and traffic safety standards will be discussed at the Wai'anae Coast Neighborhood Board's Legislative Committee meeting at 6:30 p.m. today in the Wai'anae District Park arts and crafts room.
The bill, which passed first reading at the City Council and has been referred to the Transportation Committee, would require the director of the city Department of Transportation Services to establish a "Safe Streets Program" and require police to conduct crosswalk safety sting operations.
The Legislative Committee will also discuss proposed city capital improvement projects for the area.
Kapolei update on Thursday
Larry Caster, the leasing coordinator for the Estate of James Campbell, will provide an update about development projects in the Kapolei area at the Rotary Club of Kapolei meeting at 7:30 a.m. Thursday in the Kapolei High School faculty/staff lounge.
More businesses are opening and more are planned in Kapolei, and the area continues to grow. According to the 2000 Census, Kapolei has almost 69,000 residents with an annual growth rate of 6 percent since the 1990 Census. It is one of the state's fastest-growing regions.
The $7 fee includes a buffet breakfast. Call Van McCrea at 672-3924, or e-mail vanmccrea@aol.com
