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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, January 16, 2003

O'ahu briefs

Advertiser Staff and News Services

HONOLULU

Diamond Head tollbooth open

The state opened its new tollbooth inside Diamond Head Crater yesterday to collect fees as people and vehicles enter the landmark, but the park was forced close at about noon after mud and debris washed onto the trail following heavy rain.

Diamond Parking Systems has been contracted to run the tollbooth and will collect $1 from individuals walking in, $5 for cars, $10 for commercial vans, $20 for mini-buses and $40 per bus with a passenger capacity of 26 or more.

State parks administrator Dan Quinn said the booth was expected to open last May, but the opening was delayed after the contractor had to wait for materials to arrive.

The rain yesterday sent mud down some of the stairs along the popular hiking trail and posed a possible safety problem, forcing the closure of the park, Quinn said.

The entry fee was approved in February 1999, but the state Department of Land and Natural Resources first needed to install the tollbooth. For the past two years the state has collected $1 per individual to hike to the summit of the 3,520-foot-high landmark.

The fees go to help pay for improvements and a long-range master plan.


State of City Address delayed

Mayor Jeremy Harris has postponed tonight's State of the City Address for one week following the death of his close friend Peter Char.

The annual speech will be given Jan. 23 at 6 p.m. in the courtyard of Honolulu Hale.

Char, a prominent medical malpractice attorney and chief campaign fund-raiser for Harris, died Sunday after a brief illness.


State libraries receive grant

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has awarded an $18,000 grant to the Hawai'i State Public Library System to provide training on Internet access for staff and patrons.

The grant will provide computer training workshops for all library staff. The library will make announcements soon about times and dates for the public sessions.

Last year, more than 30 public libraries benefited from a $339,780 grant from the foundation to the library system. Libraries received computers, printers, technical training and support.


Libraries to be closed Monday

All Hawai'i public libraries will be closed Monday for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday. 'Aiea, Hawai'i Kai, Makawao and Wahiawa libraries will be closed Monday and Tuesday.

All public libraries also will be closed Feb. 17 for President's Day. The 'Aiea, Hawai'i Kai, Makawao and Wahiawa libraries will be closed on Feb. 17 and 18.


WINDWARD

He'eia park to get spruced up

The Friends of He'eia State Park will sponsor a work day from 8:30 a.m. to noon Jan. 25 at the Kane'ohe site.

Individuals, families and groups are welcome to help plant native plants and to remove invasive species. Call 247-3156 for information.