Hawai'i briefs

HONOLULU

Regents OK faculty raises

The University of Hawai'i's Board of Regents officially approved the proposed contract for UH's 3,148 faculty members in executive session at a special meeting yesterday.

The contract offers raises over a 6-year period of 31 percent compounded, at the rate of 1, 3, 2, 5, 9 and 11 percent annually. The contract is retroactive to 2003 and would extend through 2009 if ratified by University of Hawai'i Professional Assembly bargaining units.

Final faculty ratification votes are set for Tuesday and Wednesday with results to be announced Thursday.

Probe launched in man's death

Police are investigating the death of a man whose body was discovered today at 7:25 a.m. on the Waikiki end of Ala Moana Park. There were no apparent signs of foul play, according to preliminary reports from the scene.

CENTRAL

Mall swap meet offers booths

The Gentry Waipio Shopping Center, across from the Central O'ahu Regional Park, is looking for booth participants in the center's Community Swap Meet on April 17 at the shopping center grounds.

Booths are limited and assigned on a first-come-first-served basis. Application forms and information are available through Foodland or any shopping center tenant. The deadline is April 5.

Public libraries receive grant

Hawai'i public libraries will receive $1 million from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services.

The grant is from the federal Library Services and Technology Act.

The money is given to states on a population-based formula, and states are expected to pay $1 for every $2 of federal aid.

LEEWARD

Makakilo ramp work canceled

Weekend construction along the H-1 Makakilo Interchange on-ramp has been canceled because of an equipment failure, according to the state Department of Transportation.

The town-bound on-ramp was scheduled for closure today and tomorrow for concrete work.

Weekend work on the on-ramps may resume April 16-17 as crews repave the interchange with concrete. Electronic message signs will inform drivers of upcoming closures.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Blaze destroys 3-story building

NNOLE, Hawai'i — A fire Wednesday night destroyed an abandoned three-story wooden building at 32-964 Mamalahoa Highway and caused damage to another abandoned structure nearby.

Firefighters responded to the alarm at the old Nishimoto Store building at 8:22 p.m. and had the fire under control at 9:30 p.m.