O'ahu briefs
Advertiser Staff and News Services
LEEWARD
Brushfire called suspicious
Fire officials believe a brushfire that scorched about 10 acres in 'Ewa Beach yesterday was deliberately set.
The fire was reported at 2:36 p.m. on military property just off Iroquois Point Road, said Capt. Richard Soo, spokesman for the Fire Department. He said the blaze was in the same area as a brushfire that burned about 50 acres Friday.
Eleven fire units and the department's Air One helicopter were joined by three federal fire department units to fight yesterday's blaze, Soo said. The brushfire was brought under control at 4:15 and extinguished at about 6 p.m.
No property was damaged by the fire, Soo said, but the flames came to within 100 yards of a new subdivision.
"If you get a strong wind, the potential is there for it to lap over to the new homes," Soo said.
HONOLULU
Teams to clean state's beaches
The state's beach cleanup effort — "Get the Drift and Bag It!" — will put teams of volunteers on beaches and streams across the state from 8:30 a.m. to noon Saturday to pick up debris.
The effort is sponsored by the Hawai'i Sea Grant Program and the Hawai'i Coastal Zone Management Program, in association with the Ocean Conservancy and its International Coastal Cleanup.
In 2001, volunteers in Hawai'i collected 133,663 items weighing a total of nearly 12 tons. The trash included 47,240 cigarette butts, 12,986 food wrappers and bags, 1,984 pieces of rope, 1,899 pieces of fishing line and 1,098 balloons.
To volunteer, call Hawai'i Sea Grant at (808) 956-2872. For more information check the Web site www.soest.Hawaii.edu/SEAGRANT.
WINDWARD
Library restarts Saturday hours
Waimanalo library will host a celebration this weekend to mark the resumption of Saturday hours for the first time since 1995.
The gala will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at 41-1320 Kalaniana'ole Highway.
The expanded hours are made possible by a grant from the Verizon Foundation and Hawai'i Reads program. Saturday services, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., will include complete circulation services and Internet access; weekly stories and crafts or other special programs at 11 a.m.; and literacy, computer and basic skills tutoring.
The grand opening will include a reading by state Sen. Fred Hemmings, self-guided tours, children's games and prizes at 10 a.m., storytelling at 11 a.m.; and crafts and refreshments from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Lutheran school building ready
After four years of planning and fund-raising, St. Mark Lutheran School in Kane'ohe will dedicate its $2 million multipurpose building at 4 p.m. Saturday.
The two-level 14,500-square-foot structure, the first major improvement on campus in years, includes classrooms, an indoor court and a kitchen.
The space will be used as an auditorium, for music lessons, for lunch when it's raining and for physical education.
The new classrooms will allow the school to increase the number of seventh- and eighth-grade students.
ELECTION 2002
Candidates debate on 'Olelo
Democratic candidates for Senate District 12 (Waikiki, Downtown) will take part in a live TV debate tonight as part of the "Vote! 2002: Candidates Debate" series sponsored by 'Olelo Community Television.
The debate will air from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Oceanic Channel 54 and Oceanic Digital Control.
Participating are Jerry Drelling, Doug Luna, Pat McCain, Cindy Rasmussen and Jon Yoshimura.
Tomorrow: Republican candidates for Senate District 12.
