A 22-year-old man was reported in critical condition yesterday at The Queen's Medical Center after falling from an escalator between the third floor and the mall level of Ala Moana Shopping Center.

Ambulance crews were called at 12:40 a.m. to the escalator on the diamondhead side of the center. Police said the man had been drinking with friends at the Mai Tai Bar and then were bound for the mall level when the accident occurred.

The ambulance report indicated he fell about 15-20 feet from the escalator to the ground.

Late botanist recognized

The late Charles Lamoureaux, University of Hawai'i botany professor and director of Lyon Arboretum, who died in October 2000, has been awarded the National Tropical Botanical Garden's 2001 Robert Allerton Award.

The posthumous award, named after one of the founders of the botanical garden, recognizes individuals who demonstrated excellence in tropical horticulture or botany. The bronze medal and a $1,000 honorarium will be presented to Lamoureaux's widow, Florence.

Charles Lamoureaux built the Lyon Arboretum into an active force in the conservation of Hawaiian plants. During his career, he conducted botany field work throughout the Pacific. He was former chairman of the UH botany department and taught a popular natural history course.

Guest organist to play tonight

An evening of organ music will be presented at 7:30 tonight at St. Andrew's Cathedral, Beretania and Queen Emma streets.

Bruce Neswick, from St. Philip's Cathedral in Atlanta, will perform works by Franck, Bach and Vierne.

Offerings will be accepted and a reception will follow the event.

WINDWARD

Center plans open house

The Bobby Benson Center, a residential treatment center for adolescents who suffer from substance abuse and addiction, will have an Open House from 2 to 5 p.m. on Jan. 30.

The center, at 56-660 Kamehameha Highway, next to the Kahuku Hospital, will be open to the public, and staff will be on hand to answer questions.

The center, which began in 1990, is named for Bobby Benson, a troubled 15-year-old who in 1984 died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. For information, call 293-7555.

CENTRAL

Lions holding fund-raiser

The 'Ewa Beach Lions Club is holding a fund-raiser at the 'Ewa Beach Shopping Center through Tuesday.

The Lions will be selling malassadas in the parking lot from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day.

Proceeds from the event will go to various community service projects such as the 'Ewa Beach Christmas community parade and Easter egg hunt.

For more information, call 'Ewa Beach Lions president Dick Beamer at 689-0651.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Police chief gets top marks

WAILUKU, Maui — Police Chief Tom Phillips received high marks from the Maui Police Commission in its annual performance review.

The commission found that he exceeded expectations in all categories, including leadership qualities, management skills, integrity and success in reaching goals.

Phillips, who joined the department in 1978 and was named chief in 1998, also was praised for his open and cooperative relationship with the commission.

Accident victim identified

Police have identified a Japanese tourist who was killed in a South Kohala traffic accident Wednesday.

Big Island police were called at 8:07 a.m. to the intersection of Waikoloa Beach Drive and Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway. The victim, identified as 68-year-old Tadashi Ishii, was driving a rented Nissan Maxima and was turning left onto the highway when his car was struck by a 1993 International Semi tractor-trailer.

Ishii was taken to Kona Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 12:05 p.m. His wife, Fumiko Ishii, 61, was taken to North Hawaii Community Hospital with a fractured neck and ribs. A hospital spokeswoman declined to disclose her condition yesterday.

The couple were visiting from Anagasaki-Shishyogo, Japan.

The 41-year-old driver of the truck, which had been heading south on the highway, was not injured.