Police yesterday arrested a Kalihi man on suspicion of murdering his wife June 13, following his discharge yesterday from The Queen's Medical Center.

Victorio Barayuga, 62, had been hospitalized since June 13. Police said he slashed his wrist in an apparent suicide attempt after his wife was fatally stabbed.

Barayuga's wife, Liwliwa Barayuga, 63, was stabbed repeatedly. Her body was found in their Kalihi home June 13, along with her injured husband.

An autopsy determined Liw-liwa Barayuga died of a stab wound to the chest.

She was the fourth fatal victim of domestic violence this year, according to the Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence. The others are Ingeborg Jandura of Canada, Marie Annette Mundon and 14-year-old Tyran Vesperas-Saniatan.

INVESTIGATOR HIRED IN BUREAU PROBE

The joint legislative investigative committee on the Bureau of Conveyances hired private investigator Hilton Lui to look into allegations about mismanagement at the bureau during its first meeting Wednesday.

Committee members also agreed to issue a subpoena to the Ethics Commission to get a report of the commission's own investigation into the bureau, and came up with a list of others they will subpoena for later hearings.

The next meeting will be July 5 at 1:30 p.m. at the state Capitol.

BIG ISLE BRUSHFIRE CLOSES TWO ROADS

Hawai'i County firefighters last night were battling a brushfire in the Waimea District.

At 6:45 p.m. the fire had scorched an estimated 100 acres in the area makai of Highway 190, between mile markers 7 and 9. There were no evacuations or injuries.

Two roadblocks were set up: Kaiminani Street to Saddle Road and Paniolo Drive to Highway 190.

Two helicopters were making water drops. Thirteen other fire companies were battling the fire on the ground.

FREE HULA CLASSES ARE BEING OFFERED

The Papakolea Community Center will offer free hula classes starting today.

Children's classes run from 4 to 5 p.m., while adult classes run from 5 to 7 p.m. The classes will be under the direction of Kumu Hula Renee Kamana'o, and will be held at the Papakolea Community Center Hall.

For more information, call the center at 520-8998.

PLANT SALE TO HELP PRISON PROGRAM

Large pots of palms, hibiscus, green rose, ti and croton are among the plants for sale from 8 to 11 a.m. tomorrow at the Kailua Elementary School parking lot.

Women at the Women's Community Correctional Center in Kailua have grown the plants as part of the Environmental Sciences Vocational Training courses. Proceeds will be reinvested in the program.

The Lani-Kailua Outdoor Circle, which sponsors the program, is hosting the sale.

Other plants for sale are gardenias, stephanotis and bou-gainvillea.

The women also keep Kailua beaches and public plantings clean and trimmed.

KOREAN WAR VETS TO HOLD CEREMONY

Hawai'i Korean War veterans will hold their annual ceremony Monday in observance of the anniversary of the start of the war.

The 57th anniversary observance will begin at 10 a.m. at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl.

"We, Korean-Americans, hope to honor our brothers who fought and died in the war," said event chairman Jimmy Shin of the Korean War Commemoration Commission and the Korean War Veterans Association Aloha Chapter.

Shin expects more than 500 Korean veterans from the seven local veteran chapters to attend.

Speakers will include Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona, Consulate Gen. Dae Hyun Kang of the Republic of Korea and Consulate Gen. John Quinn of Australia.

FUTURE ELECTRICAL NEEDS ON AGENDA

A public meeting to discuss future electrical needs on O'ahu will be held at 6:30 p.m. on July 5 at the Stevenson Middle School cafeteria.

Hawaiian Electric Co. is hosting the meeting and looking for public comment on the proposed objectives of its fourth Integrated Resource Planning process.

The process was established by the Public Utilities Commission to forecast, analyze and prepare to meet long-term electricity needs of Island residents and businesses.