Posted on: Monday, August 9, 2004

O'AHU BRIEFS
Building plan raises concerns

Advertiser Staff

A Kailua watchdog group has asked the directors of Kane'ohe Ranch Co. to reconfigure and reduce the height of the towers in the new parking garage behind Longs Drug Store.

Keep It Kailua said in a letter to the directors that the desire to maintain Kailua's small-town identity is pervasive throughout the community and was confirmed by a recent survey by Kane'ohe Ranch.

"Unfortunately, this character is already being stressed by Kane'ohe Ranch's decision to construct a large — and what appears to be an unnecessary — parking garage in the town center," the letter said.

Kane'ohe Ranch could not be reached for comment, but has said it wanted to build the garage now rather than wait until more spaces were needed and the cost would be higher.

Group promotes traffic safety

With Maunawili Elementary School students heading back to classes Aug. 21 the community has scheduled traffic alert efforts to remind drivers that children are present and to slow down.

Members of the Olomana Community Association in conjunction with the police department will be waving signs from 6:30 to 8 a.m. Aug. 25 and 27 at the intersections where Kalaniana'ole Highway meets Ulupii and Ulupuni streets.

Two men stabbed in Salt Lake

Two men remained in serious condition at The Queen's Medical Center yesterday after both were stabbed at a Salt Lake bus stop during a confrontation with five Polynesian men, police said.

At 12:46 a.m. Saturday a 19-year-old man was at a bus stop in Salt Lake when he was approached by five men who challenged him to fight before stabbing him. A second man, 26, who was walking near the bus stop, was also stabbed. The 19-year-old tried to follow the men but he was threatened with a pistol.

The men fled in an unknown vehicle. No arrests have been made and police were looking for the attackers.