O'ahu briefs

Advertiser Staff

HONOLULU

Man, 82, killed crossing street

An 82-year-old man was killed yesterday when he was struck by a sport utility vehicle while crossing School Street.

Police said the man was hit at about 6:20 a.m., as he was crossing in or near a crosswalk near Momolio Lane. A 42-year-old Wai'anae man, traveling west on School Street, was driving the white GMC that hit him. He was not injured.

The pedestrian was taken by ambulance to The Queen's Medical Center, where he died less than an hour later.

The driver was not drinking, police said, but they are still investigating to determine if he was speeding.

The accident marks the 80th traffic fatality of the year, compared with 66 at the same time last year.

Mainland landfill option studied

City Councilman Mike Gabbard wants the city to ship O'ahu's solid waste to the Mainland rather than create a new landfill.

Gabbard said yesterday that he will travel to the Mainland in early January to tour at least two landfill facilities owned and operated by national waste-management firms. He said he has met with consultants who have told him there is a good possibility the city could ship its trash to the Mainland in a safe, cost-effective way.

Even if the cost of shipping the trash is a bit more than the cost of handling it here, Gabbard said he believes most people would be willing to pay a little extra to avoid having to create a new landfill.

A city task force has recommended four possible sites for a new landfill — one in Kailua and three on the Wai'anae Coast.

WINDWARD

Crash injures 3, disrupts power

Three people were injured and 1,300 left without power yesterday after an SUV crashed into a utility pole in Ka'a'awa.

A woman in her 20s and a man and a woman in their 40s were flown to The Queen's Medical Center in serious condition, authorities said.

Police closed the road for several hours while Hawaiian Electric Co. crews worked to repair the pole and restore power. Pepi Nieva, a spokeswoman for Hawaiian Electric, said power was restored to most customers within an hour but a few were without power until 6:45 p.m.

EAST HONOLULU

Magic on tap

Magician Bryan Yoshimoto will perform his show at 5 p.m. today at the Hawai'i Kai Public Library's annual holiday program. Santa will also pay a visit during the free program.

CENTRAL

Flood meeting set

Senator Norman Sakamoto, D-15th (Waimalu, Airport, Salt Lake), and legislators from the Mapunapuna, Moanalua, Salt Lake, Aliamanu and Foster Village areas, will hold a community meeting today to discuss flood damage caused by the recent heavy rains.

Residents and operators of affected businesses are encouraged to attend the meeting from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Moanalua High School Student Center.