O'ahu briefs
Advertiser Staff and News Services
HONOLULU
Search fails to turn up man
Authorities continued to search Tantalus trails yesterday for Richard Rubin, 49, who disappeared Thursday.
Police, firefighters, Hawai'i Department of Land and Natural Resources crews and police dogs searched the mountain trails on foot and by helicopter for nearly seven hours yesterday, Fire Department Capt. Kenison Tejada said.
Rubin was to have met family members on Tantalus at 1 p.m. Thursday. His car, a white Lexus, was found parked near the entrance to Kalawahine Trail at 3789 Tantalus Drive.
Tejada said the official search was not scheduled to resume today, but the Hawai'i Trail and Mountain Club planned to search along pig hunters' trails and other offshoots from the main trails.
Rubin is 6 feet tall, 178 pounds and has a medium build. He has a fair complexion, blue eyes and light brown hair.
Police ask anyone with information to call 911 or the Criminal Investigation Division at 529-3115. People who wish to remain anonymous may call the CrimeStoppers hot line at 955-8300.
Officers said private individuals should not attempt to render aid themselves, even if Rubin is in need of medical attention.
Chinatown site of today's forum
The Chinese Community Action Coalition will hold a candidates forum from 2 to 5 p.m. today at Wo Fat Restaurant, 115 N. Hotel St. The forum will be translated into Chinese for the hundreds of residents expected to attend.
Expected candidates include U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie and Mark Terry for the 1st Congressional seat; Lt. Gov. Mazie Hirono for governor; Jon Yoshimura and Gordon Trimble for the 12th District state Senate seat; Jennifer Waihee and Corinne Ching for the 27th District state House seat; and John Steelquist and Rod Tam for the City Council District 6 seat.
This year, the coalition translated the Wikiwiki voter registration form into Chinese, and 421 new voters registered as a result.
NORTH SHORE
Surfers rescued at Sunset Beach
North Shore lifeguards were kept busy yesterday along Sunset Beach, rescuing Pipeline surfers who braved strong but shallow swells.
"They were taking their chances to get spectacular rides," said Life Guard Capt. Bodo Van Der Leeden. "It was doing some damage."
Three surfers required medical treatment after they were battered against the ocean floor.
One who broke his right femur after wiping out on the Pipeline was a well known professional surfer, Van Der Leeden said. He would not identify the man.
Emergency Medical Services District Chief Robert Pedro said the 32-year-old was in stable condition when he was flown by military helicopter from 'Ehukai Beach Park to The Queens Medical Center shortly after 3:30 p.m.
Two other surfers were injured earlier in the afternoon, life guards said. One suffered a leg injury and the other suffered an injury to the head.
WINDWARD
Kailua citizen groups honored
The Honolulu City Council honored two Kailua groups last month for efforts to improve their communities by linking with state and city agencies.
The Lani-Kailua Outdoor Circle and Kailua Citizens on Patrol were recognized for their partnership with the Women's Community Correctional Center and the Honolulu Police Department, respectively.
In 2000, the Outdoor Circle began a beautification program with the women's prison, and soon became involved in setting up an Environmental Sciences Vocational Training Program there, which includes maintaining beautification projects in Kailua.
The Kailua Citizens on Patrol, about 15 residents and fishermen who organized to address illegal activities at the Kailua Beach Park boat ramp, has worked closely with police to reduce problems at the ramp and expand its patrol to the whole park and Lanikai Elementary School.
