O'ahu briefs
Advertiser Staff and News Services
EAST HONOLULU
Vision team meets tonight
The East Honolulu Vision team will meet 7 p.m. today at the 'Aina Haina Public Library to talk about status of all the proposed community projects of the past two years and about a time capsule to be included with the Hawai'i Kai sign.
This is the first meeting of the vision team this year.
HONOLULU
Driver charged in collision
A 44-year-old truck driver was arraigned Tuesday in District Court on charges of attempted murder after he allegedly bumped a motorcyclist twice and knocked him to the pavement March 6.
Mark Char is suspected of harassing cyclists in the past, behavior that aggravated the offense and led police to pursue an attempted murder charge, said Detective Nani Kaopua.
The motorcyclist, 40, was heading south on Fort Weaver Road at 9:20 a.m. March 6 and was trying to pass Char's pickup truck when Char allegedly swerved into his path and collided with him, police said.
Police said the motorcyclist managed to right himself, but Char allegedly swerved again, knocking him down.
18 accused of prostitution
Eighteen women were arraigned yesterday on prostitution charges that arose from police raids at two Honolulu clubs last week.
Twelve were arrested Friday at Deja Vu Showgirls, a nightclub on Kuhio Avenue, and six were arrested Thursday at Club Sun, a Kaka'ako bar on Cummins Street, said Lt. Kevin Thomas.
City changes choice of trees
After Kaimuki residents complained that narra trees were a bad choice for planting along Wai'alae Avenue in a beautification project, city officials have pulled the tree from consideration.
The city is in the middle of a $1.9 million beautification project in Kaimuki that is designed to bring more shoppers to the area with wider, tree-lined sidewalks.
At the Kaimuki Neighborhood Board meeting last week, residents expressed concerns that trees that grew too big would become a maintenance problem.
Board member Leonard Tam, the community "project champion" for the beautification, said he was notified by e-mail before the meeting that the city had selected the narra tree. The board voted unanimously to send a letter to the city opposing the use of the narra.
Following the meeting, city Managing Director Ben Lee said tulipwood trees will be used instead.
Legislative update tonight
Lawmakers will update Kalihi-Palama residents on legislation at a 6 p.m. community meeting today at the Kapalama Elementary School cafeteria.
Residents can share their concerns and ideas at the meeting, which is sponsored by state Sens. Suzanne Chun Oakland, Donna Mercado Kim, Norman Sakamoto and Rod Tam and Reps. Felipe Abinsay, Lei Ahu Isa, Dennis Arakaki and Benjamin Cabreros.
CENTRAL
Speech contest in Mililani
The Mililani Toastmasters Club will hold an area speech contest for district club members at 7 p.m. tomorrow at Mililani Mauka Elementary School cafeteria, 95-1111 Makaikai St.
The contest will feature Division "B" Toastmaster speakers from Kaua'i, Wai'anae, Wahiawa and Mililani.
The public is invited to attend.
For more information, call Arlene Koike at 625-6429.
Orchid show in Kunia tomorrow
The 48th annual Kunia Orchid Show will run tomorrow to Sunday at the Del Monte Kunia Village gymnasium.
Event hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. tomorrow and Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $2.
The event, put on by the Kunia Orchid Society, showcases the island's largest selection of Phalaenopsis, Miltonia and honohono orchids for display and sale. Eight clubs and societies will show an array of floral displays and an ikebana display.
