O'ahu briefs
Advertiser Staff and News Services
CENTRAL
Memorial to close for repair
The USS Arizona Memorial, one of Hawai'i's top visitor attractions, will be closed to the public for two weeks starting Monday to allow for maintenance and repairs, the National Park Service announced.
The work, which includes replacing a railing and construction of a new ramp, is expected to last through June 14. The new ramp will allow wheelchair visitors to board the memorial without using an electric lift.
During the repair work, there will be no public tours to the memorial. However, the visitor center, bookstore and museum will remain open, and the center will continue to show a free 23-minute documentary film on a first-come, first-served basis from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Officials advise visitors to check the park's automated information line (422-0561) for updates on the work.
Last year, more than 1.5 million people were shuttled from the visitor center to the memorial. Since 1980, more than 30 million visitors have toured the memorial.
'Aiea Town Meeting tonight
A review of the 2002 legislative session will be the topic at the 'Aiea Town Meeting set for tonight.
The town meeting will run from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the 'Aiea Public Library, 99-143 Moanalua Road.
The co-sponsors of the meeting, state Sens. David Ige, Donna Mercado Kim and Norman Sakamoto, along with state Reps. Blake Oshiro and K. Mark Takai, will give a brief update on the past session, including the state budget, prescription drugs and charter schools.
Legislators will then open the meeting to questions and answers.
Waipahu library celebrates 50th
The Waipahu Public Library will mark its 50th anniversary tomorrow with a celebration open to the community.
The free event from 3 to 5 p.m. will feature entertainment by storyteller Nyla Ching-Fujii, magician and balloonist Kelvin Chun and the Waipahu High School Hawaiian Club. There will also be historical displays, giveaways and refreshments.
Waipahu has the only library on O'ahu with drive-through service and a reading room exclusively for teens. The library opened on May 29, 1952.
