HAWAI'I BRIEFS
Fender-benders in Wilson Tunnel
Advertiser Staff
A series of fender-benders involving 12 to 14 vehicles in the Wilson Tunnel snarled traffic yesterday afternoon, but there were no reports of serious injuries.
The accidents occurred about 5:45 in the Kane'ohe-bound lanes of Likelike Highway. Police diverted traffic at the Kula Kolea Drive intersection for more than two hours to allow tow trucks to remove the vehicles.
Three people were taken to the Castle Medical Center, but police said they did not suffer serious injuries. The highway was reopened briefly, but was closed again at 8 p.m. for scheduled roadwork.
Fund-raiser benefits students
Kailua High School's Project Graduation 2007 is holding a rummage sale and HI 5¢ can and bottle drive Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. next to the school's cafeteria.
Donations to the rummage sale are welcome, and may be dropped off at the school Friday from 1 to 7 p.m. Redeemable cans and bottles may be dropped off Saturday.
Project Graduation is a post-commencement all-nighter in which graduating seniors can enjoy their last day together as a class in a safe, alcohol- and substance-free setting. For more information, e-mail kailua2007@hotmail.com.
MANOA
5 men sought in alleged assault
Police yesterday were searching for five men who abducted and sexually assaulted an 18-year-old woman late Monday night.
The woman told police she was walking past a parked vehicle in Manoa at about 10 p.m. when she was forced into the vehicle. The men then drove her to a secluded area where, police said, the woman was sexually assaulted.
The suspects fled the scene and the woman was taken to a sex-abuse treatment center for observation. Police did not say exactly where the woman was walking when she was abducted.
No arrests were made as of yesterday evening, police said.
NORTH SHORE
Harbor project gets $200,000
Gov. Linda Lingle has released $200,000 for improvements to the Hale'iwa Boat Harbor.
The money was released to the state Department of Land and Natural Resources for improving the aging harbor's deteriorating concrete piers, slips, docks and utilities.
"Harbors provide a vital link to one of our state's greatest resources, the ocean," Lingle said. "Unfortunately, too many of our state's recreational boat harbors have been neglected over the years."
The work is part of a $1.2 million project expected to be completed by 2007.
BIG ISLAND
Hikers trapped by storm rescued
Five people were rescued from a trail above Waipi'o Valley yesterday after stormy weather prevented them from hiking out of the wilderness.
The hikers, a man and four minors, were treated by paramedics and released after spending three nights in the wilderness, the last one not by choice.
The lost party used a cell phone to call authorities on Monday afternoon, but the Hawai'i County Fire Department was unable to launch a rescue attempt because of heavy rain and low cloud cover.
With a break in the weather yesterday morning, another chopper found them yesterday and took them to the department's landing zone in Honoka'a, said Assistant Fire Chief Clesson Murasaki.
MAUI
Culture, smoking cessation linked
WAILUKU, Maui — Psychiatrist Leslie Gise will discuss how the Hawaiian culture can be used to help people quit smoking during a free event hosted by Maui Memorial Medical Center.
Gise's presentation will be from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday in the hospital's auditorium. Free valet parking will be available at the new entrance behind the hospital.
'Season for Peace' sendoff planned
Closing ceremonies for the eighth annual "Gandhi & King: Season for Peace and Nonviolence" will be at 7 p.m. tomorrow at the Kihei Community Center.
Speakers include Tom Zinder, president of Unity School, and Jerry Jampolsky and Diane Cirincione, founders of The Forgiveness Project and the Center for Attitudinal Healing in Sausalito, Calif. They will be joined by the Rev. Mary Omwake; singer and songwriter Rickie Byars Beckwith from the Agape International Spiritual Center of Truth in Culver City, Calif.; and the Rev. Michael Beckwith, a recipient of the Africa Achievement Peace Award and founder of the Agape center.
The "Season for Peace and Nonviolence" is a national 64-day campaign, held annually from Jan. 30 to April 4, commemorating the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. The campaign aims to create an awareness of nonviolent principles and practice as a powerful way to heal and transform communities.
For more information, call Unity Church of Maui at (808) 242-9327.
Search is on for 1980 graduates
Organizers of the 25th-year reunion for Lahainaluna High School's Class of 1980 are trying to locate classmates for events planned for June 24 to 26 in Lahaina and Nov. 4 to 6 in Las Vegas.
For more information, contact Myrna "Felicilda" Ah Hee at (808) 264-0784 or David Duey at (808) 244-9526, or e-mail ahhee001@hawaii.rr.com.
McCULLY
Three arrested in car break-ins
Two men, ages 27 and 22, and a 22-year-old woman were arrested Monday in connection with two car break-ins late Sunday night on Ala Wai Boulevard.
Police said a witness videotaped one of the men breaking into a car about 11:55 p.m. The witness told police that the man got into a white sedan and drove off.
Police stopped the car at the corner of McCully Street and Kapi'olani Boulevard and the witness identified one of the two men in the car as the one who had broken into the cars on Ala Wai Boulevard.
During their check of the car that was pulled over, police reported finding a semiautomatic handgun next to the driver's door and what appeared to be crystal methamphetamine in a fanny pack in a front-passenger compartment.
