HAWAI'I BRIEFS
New hybrid bus to change routes
Advertiser Staff
Honolulu's 10 new hybrid electric-gas buses will be reassigned from a downtown route that few riders used to a new loop from Waipahu to the University of Hawai'iiManoa, Mayor Mufi Hannemann said yesterday.
The 10 buses, which cost about $750,000 each, have been on the city's new E-transit line, which began running from Kaka'ako to Waikiki less than two months ago. The mayor said that downtown route will be eliminated Tuesday when the new route begins.
Hannemann said the route was operating at about one-third of capacity and estimated that it had cost the city about $2 million to operate so far. The buses have a capacity of more than 90 passengers, he said.
Hannemann said the new buses also were disappointing because they do not climb hills efficiently, so they couldn't handle routes such as the trans-Ko'olau trek to Windward O'ahu.
He said the city is looking at shifting other bus routes around to ease congestion on more popular routes.
Moloka'i
2nd cross found in exhumation
The exhumation of the body of Mother Marianne Cope continued yesterday with the discovery of a second crucifix.
"There was a feeling of joy when it was found," said Sister Mary Lawrence Hanley, leader of Syracuse, N.Y.-based Franciscan order to which Cope belonged.
The first cross was found Monday when the exhumation began. One cross is Cope's rosary crucifix, Hanley said, while the other is likely her profession crucifix, which was issued to her when she began her service as a nun.
More human remains also were recovered yesterday.
Cope, who worked with Kalaupapa leprosy patients for 30 years until her death in 1918, is expected be beatified by the Catholic Church later this year, the second of three steps to sainthood. Exhumation of the body is required at this stage in the canonization process.
A "Mass of Aloha" will be held Friday before the remains are flown to Honolulu, where a vigil and candlelight ceremony will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday at St. Francis Convent in Manoa.
Honolulu
Kaimuki victim's identity released
A woman who died after being struck by a sport utility vehicle Friday in Kaimuki has been identified by the city medical examiner's office as Matsue Hamada, 79, of Wai'alae Avenue.
Hamada was hit while walking across Kaimuki Avenue at about 3 p.m. and was pronounced dead at 10:11 p.m. at The Queen's Medical Center.
Police said the 37-year-old driver of the SUV may have been speeding, and the case is being investigated. The victim was not in a crosswalk.
Maui
Ex-inmates to get halfway house
Gov. Linda Lingle yesterday released $1 million in bond funds to help create a transitional housing complex for inmates being released from the Maui Community Correctional Center.
The Wailuku facility will be run by the nonprofit Maui Economic Opportunity Inc. and offer support, training and employment services.
MEO has purchased the Cabebe building on Vineyard Street in Wailuku town and will soon begin renovating the structure to accommodate about 20 residents The project will cost $1.6 million.
