Police closed two lanes of Farrington Highway in Ma'ili at about 8 p.m. yesterday to investigate a collision between a car and a moped that left the 31-year-old moped rider in critical condition.

Police closed the two westbound lanes of Farrington Highway at Kaukamana Street across from Ma'ili Beach Park and contra-flowed traffic on one eastbound lane.

The moped rider was taken to The Queen's Medical Center in critical condition, according to Bryan Cheplic, spokesman for the city's emergency services department. The rider was not wearing a helmet, Cheplic said.

TOYS FOR TOTS HAS 'STAR WARS' THEME

"Star Wars" characters will invade Honolulu Hale on Thursday to collect toys for needy kids.

The volunteers, who will be at Honolulu Hale from 6 to 8 p.m., will donate the new or unused toys to the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program.

"Star Wars" fans are encouraged to visit Honolulu Hale with a toy, and take a picture with the "Star Wars" characters.

For more information, contact the city Office of Culture and the Arts at 523-4674.

3.9 QUAKE DETECTED OFF BIG ISLAND

A minor 3.9-magnitude earthquake was recorded at 6:31 a.m. yesterday by the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. There was no tsunami threat.

The quake was registered 33 miles northwest of Kailua, Kona, off the shores of the Big Island at a depth of 3.7 miles.

2008 WHALE COUNT NEEDS VOLUNTEERS

The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary is looking for volunteers for its 2008 Ocean Count.

Volunteers will be counting whales and recording their behaviors from more than 65 shore sites. It's an opportunity to learn about whale population, distribution and behavioral trends.

The first counts will be Jan. 26 on O'ahu, Kaua'i and the Big Island. Other counts will be Feb. 23 and March 29 from 8 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

To register, call 888-55-WHALE, ext. 253, for the Big Island; 397-2651 for O'ahu; and 808-246-2860 for Kaua'i.

HOLIDAY SAFETY CAMPAIGN BEGINS

Police yesterday kicked off their annual holiday traffic safety campaign by urging motorists, pedestrians, motorcyclists, bicyclists and other roadway users to take responsibility for their actions.

As of yesterday, 63 people had died on O'ahu roadways this year: 27 motorists and/or passengers in 22 auto collisions, 20 pedestrians, 13 operators and one passenger in 13 motorcycle crashes and two moped operators. The numbers are based on traffic fatality tracking data compiled by The Advertiser.

By comparison, there were 90 traffic deaths on O'ahu in 2006: 50 motorists and/or passengers in 41 auto collisions, 20 pedestrians, nine motorcycle operators, six moped operators and five bicyclists.

Police will have DUI checkpoints set up nightly at unannounced times and locations on O'ahu.

Police on the Big Island, Maui and Kaua'i also have similar holiday safe-driving campaigns.

The combined Neighbor Island fatality count stands at 62 as of yesterday: 35 on the Big Island, 20 on Maui and seven on Kaua'i. Last year, Hawai'i County had 33 traffic deaths, Maui 20 and Kaua'i 14.

2 MEN, 1 WOMAN ARRESTED FOR DRUGS

Honolulu police arrested two men and a woman in a drug raid on a Kamehameha Heights residence at 2335 Makanani Drive.

Robert H. Aguiar Jr., 37, who resides at the address, was being held on three outstanding warrants totaling $807 while investigators pursue drug charges.

Aguiar was arrested with another man, 44, who resides at the same address, and a Kalihi woman, 33, on suspicion of third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, third-degree promotion of a detrimental drug and possession of drug paraphernalia.