A broken water main early today forced the closure of a section of Rycroft Street between Alder and Birch streets.

The break in an 8-inch main at the 1200 block of Rycroft Street was reported at 2:18 a.m. and left 12 apartments and six houses in the area without water service.

Board of Water Supply spokeswoman Tracy Burgo said the rupture caused extensive damage to the roadway. Repair work was expected to extend into the early evening hours, she said.

Nimitz crash victim identified

A 25-year-old motorcyclist who died at Kapi'olani Medical Center at Pali Momi after a crash Friday on North Nimitz Highway has been identified by the medical examiner’s office as Apollo Starnes of Pearl City.

Police vehicular homicide investigators said the motorcyclist lost control on a turn in the road and crashed into a concrete barrier almost a mile west of Valkenburgh Street at 1:30 p.m. Speed appears to be a contributing factor, police said. Starnes was wearing a helmet.

Starnes is the 74th traffic fatality of the year on O'ahu.

The fatality count reflects a change as the Nov. 5 death of Mark K. Valdez has been reclassified to a nontraffic incident based on autopsy findings. One other case, the Nov. 15 death of a 78-year-old motorist on the H-1 Freeway near University Avenue, will also be reclassified when police receive official notification from the medical examiner on an autopsy, which determined the man died of heart failure.

Diabetes ride raises $20,000

The American Diabetes Association’s Tour de Cure Honolulu bicycle event drew 190 cyclists and raised about $20,000.

The 25- and 50-kilometer rides raised money to be used for diabetes awareness and to support local programs and research.

State health officials estimate 100,000 Hawai'i residents have diabetes, and one in four may not know it. The ride was sponsored by Kraft Crystal Light.

Schools to get gift of chess

Rep. Corinne W.L. Ching, R-27th (Liliha, Pu'unui), is donating chess sets to three public schools this week: Likelike Elementary, Kawa nanakoa Middle and Lanakila Elementary schools.

Ching, a former teacher, said playing the game helps keep children in positive peer groups and lessens the chance of drug use at a critical stage of development.

Meeting called on education

A meeting will be held at 7 p.m. today to discuss improving education in Kapolei, Makakilo, Honokai Hale and Ko Olina.

The meeting, in the Kapolei High School cafeteria, is being called by area lawmakers and Board of Education members to discuss drug use, gangs, teen pregnancy, school conditions and the education budget.