O'ahu briefs

Advertiser Staff and News Services

WINDWARD

La'ie playground almost finished

La'ie Elementary School's new playground project is expected to be completed this week as a contractor makes adjustments to the rubberized surface that will improve access to the equipment.

A state Department of Education inspector said most of the work was completed in April, but that the rubberized surface needed to be tapered around the edges before he could approve it for use. The contractor, who has been on the Mainland for several weeks, hired a Mainland crew to fix the problem. Work should be completed by the end of the week.

HONOLULU

Three charged in shooting

Three Kalihi men were charged Monday night in connection with a shooting last week on Booth Road, police said.

Allen M. Costa Jr., 23, of a Linapuni Street address, was charged with second-degree attempted murder, police said yesterday. Shawn Shelton, 31, and James H.D. Abalos, 23, were charged with conspiracy, police said.

The victim, a 41-year-old man, was shot in the stomach and remains hospitalized.

Police allege that Costa entered the victim's Booth Road home at 10:20 p.m. on July 2, pointed a .38-caliber handgun at a visitor there and then burst into the victim's room and shot him.

All three men were arrested Sunday after police received a tip. Detectives were able to recover the weapon.

Workshops on eco-purchasing

The people who do purchasing for organizations, government agencies and companies can learn about doing so with an eye on the environment in a Honolulu workshop July 18.

The daylong session will review how to buy products that are easier on the environment, how other groups have done it, and what it means to be green and sustainable. There will also be sessions on doing business with the federal General Services Administration.

For information on the Implementing Sustainability in Government & Business session at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, call 545-4317.

Downtown board elects officers

The Downtown Neighborhood Board has elected officers for the 2002-03 term. Board chairwoman Lynne Matusow was re-elected to her position and Wendy Lam is vice chairwoman, Thomas Smyth is secretary and Delores Mollring treasurer.

The board will next meet at 7 p.m. tomorrow at the Pauahi Recreation Center.

O-Bon season at Punchbowl

Officials have announced that people may place potted plants and artificial flowers at gravesites at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific beginning Friday in observance of O-Bon.

Such items will be removed Aug. 16. The cemetery has rules against permanent plantings, statues, vigil lights and other objects.