The murder trial of 22-year-old Timothy Adarna, accused of stabbing his stepfather to death and setting fire to his 'Ewa Beach home in December 2006, began yesterday in Circuit Court.

The body of the victim, Robert Ramos, 55, was found in the charred remains of the home.

Witnesses told police they saw Adarna rushing away from the scene on a bicycle before they saw flames in the house.

Adarna is accused of second-degree murder and arson.

Deputy Prosecutor Kevin Takata is presenting the case in Circuit Judge Michael Town's court.

Defense attorney David Hayakawa told the jury in his opening statement that Adarna acted in self-defense.

WEATHER DELAYS PALI REPAVEMENT

A repaving project in the Honolulu-bound lanes of the Pali Highway, which caused a massive traffic jam Thursday, was suspended yesterday due to inclement weather.

The state Department of Transportation said work will resume Monday, from Pu'iwa Road to Wyllie Street, weather permitting. The two right lanes will be closed Monday morning, with one of those lanes reopening toward the afternoon.

The Kailua-bound lanes will have a similar repaving in that area Tuesday.

OPEN HOUSE AT ASSISTANCE LEAGUE

The Assistance League of Hawaii will have an open house tomorrow for prospective volunteers.

Registration is required for the event, which will be from 1 to 4 p.m.

The open house is meant for prospective volunteers to learn about the nonprofit, which provides funding for a variety of programs for children and families. The Assistance League generates income by operating a thrift shop, at 1505 Young St.

The open house is being held at an undisclosed location because the nonprofit does not want drop-ins.

To register, call 422-5002 or 526-4008.

EL-DAKHAKHNI IS ROTARY GOVERNOR

More than 40 rotary clubs throughout Hawai'i are now under the leadership of 2008-2009 district governor Ayman El-Dakhakhni.

He said he will stress membership growth and Rotary Foundation giving during his term.

While growing up in Egypt, El-Dakhakhni became involved in Rotary youth programs and continued his participation when he came to Hawai'i in 1981, a news release said.

El-Dakhakhni, who is a transportation executive, joined the Rotary Club of Waikiki in 1992 and served as president from 1997 to 1998. He has administered polio vaccines to children in endemic countries as a part of national immunization days.

Rotary is made up of 1.2 million business, professional and community leaders worldwide.

HOSPITAL LAYOFFS SPUR OUTCRY LETTER

KAILUA, KONA, Hawai'i — A group of donors and community members is demanding that the North Hawai'i Community Hospital's board of directors and chief executive officer resign.

The private, community-owned facility announced last week it would lay off 59 employees, or about 12 percent of its workforce, to shrink a projected $7 million budget deficit.

Joseph Schell, a part-time West Hawai'i resident who signed the letter, said community members are concerned about how the hospital is being managed.

Board members responded to the letter with a three-paragraph statement announcing the hiring of a facilitator to talk to community members. Tom Mitrano of O'ahu will solicit opinions from the community on how to improve matters.