O'ahu briefs
Advertiser Staff and News Services
HONOLULU
Students stop arson fire
Students at Honolulu Community College extinguished a small fire in the ceiling of an elevator car early yesterday morning. Firefighters later determined the fire had been intentionally set, said Capt. Richard Soo, HFD spokesman.
Soo said the fire started shortly before 9 a.m. in a 6-story classroom building. Students waiting for the elevator on the ground floor discovered the blaze and put it out with buckets of water before firefighters arrived.
A fire investigator determined that the fire had been set using an accelerant, and turned the investigation over to police, Soo said.
Damage is thought to be over $1,000 but a final determination will be made after the elevator service company has examined the car.
Two other elevators remain in use near the damaged elevator, Soo said.
Block party to benefit kids
A benefit Mardi Gras block party downtown will be from 5:30 to 11 p.m. Tuesday. Nu'uanu Avenue, from Pauahi to King streets, and Hotel Street will be closed for the event.
Eight full bars will line the sidewalks, and stages will be set up for live music, including zydeco, blues, jazz, rock, contemporary, disco, R&B and classic rock.
Food booths by 3660 On the Rise/Kakaako Kitchen, Side Street Inn, Tropic's Diner, Nalo Farms and Indigo Eurasian Cuisine will feature Cajun dishes, such as jambalaya, seared catfish and gumbo.
Other features include a costume contest for best Mardi Gras king and queen; sales of beads, masks and T-shirts; a walking parade at 7:15 p.m.; street performers and artists; and free trolley service to Waikiki.
The block party will raise money for the Victoria Foundation, a clearinghouse for children's charities.
For more information, call 545-4195.
Board hopes to fill openings
The Liliha/'Alewa/Pu-'unui/Kamehameha Heights Neighborhood Board will try to fill four vacancies during its monthly meeting at 7 p.m. tomorrow in the Ma'ema'e Elementary School cafeteria.
The board also will discuss parking problems during construction at Pu'unui Avenue and Kaua'i Street and the possible closure of Lanakila District Park from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Medical ethics to be examined
Ethical issues in medicine will be discussed at a conference at the Sheraton Waikiki Thursday and Friday.
The St. Francis International Center for Healthcare Ethics is host of the Fifth International Bio-ethics Conference.
Healthcare "thought" leaders from across the country, Asia and the Pacific will discuss current and controversial topics ranging from cloning and stem cell transplantation to the ethics of clinical research.
The conference is open to the public for a fee. Call 547-6050 to register, or visit www.bioethicshawaii.org.
WINDWARD
Excess sand tops agenda
Sand is piling up at Kailua Beach Park, covering grass, roads and parking stalls. A Kailua Neighborhood Board committee will address the issue at 7 p.m. tomorrow at Kalama Beach Park, Boettcher Estate, 248 N. Kalaheo Ave.
The agenda also includes upgrading the park's parking lot behind Kalapawai Market and a possible master plan for the area. The committee will also discuss the new Keolu skate park.
