Hawai'i briefs
Advertiser Staff and News Services
LEEWARD O'AHU
Suspicious fire in Wai'anae
An arsonist or group of arsonists responsible for setting six brush fires Wednesday and Thursday on the Leeward Coast may have struck again yesterday.
Two of the six suspicious fires last week were in an area behind Wai'anae Intermediate School, and firefighters were called back to the same area yesterday afternoon, said HFD Capt. Kenison Tejada.
Tejada said the area burned yesterday was closer to Ala Hema Street than the previous burns. About an acre burned, and the fire appeared to have originated from two distant points, leading firefighters to think it, too, was maliciously set, Tejada said.
The fire was extinguished within an hour and did not endanger any homes. No one was injured.
The fire on Thursday near Wai'anae Intermediate burned 20 to 30 acres. A fire on Wednesday in almost the same location came close to homes. The department is asking the public to keep an eye out for suspicious activity.
HONOLULU
Candidates to attend forum
The Kaimuki Neighborhood Board will hold an abbreviated meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Kaimuki Recreation Center to allow time for a scheduled candidates forum.
Candidates from the 9th Senate District; the 19th, 20th and 21st House Districts; and the 4th and 5th City Council Districts are expected to attend. The board will also attempt to fill one vacancy.
WINDWARD O'AHU
Music sessions begin at WCC
Windward Community College will offer Hawai'i Music Institute classes including hula, jazz, singing and the technology of music beginning tomorrow.
The classes ranging from half-day workshops to eight-week sessions offering practical advice and hands-on training on various aspects of the music industry, including copyright law.
Instructors include jazz singer Azure McCall, steel guitarist Grifford "Kamaka" Tom, jazz guitarist Mike Kato and entertainment attorney William Meyer.
Classes range in price from $25 to $120. To register or for more information, call the college's Office of Continuing Education and Training at 235-7433.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Councilman arrested for DUI
Maui County Councilman Wayne Nishiki is facing his second drunk driving charge in four years.
Nishiki, 58, was arrested Friday near Sugar Beach. Police said he took a breathalyzer test and was found to be above the legal standard of 0.08 percent blood-alcohol level. He was released from custody later Friday night after posting $257 bail.
Nishiki said he is embarrassed by the arrest and apologized to the community. He was fined $332 and ordered to undergo 14 hours of alcohol-abuse counseling after his DUI arrest in December 1998. He said at the time that he would not drink and drive again.
