The eviction of six native Hawaiian families in Kahana Valley will be halted while "constructive discussions" continue with the Department of Land and Natural Resources over the next week, officials said yesterday.

The valley is home to 'Ahupua'a O Kahana Valley State Park that was created as a living park to allow families with long-time ties to the valley to remain.

"We are searching for a solution that will respect the interests of these families, the interests of valley residents, those with ties to Kahana that are living outside the valley and the future of Kahana Valley state park," DLNR chairwoman Laura H. Thielen said in a press release. "We believe a solution can be reached by working together in a cooperative environment."

THREE ARMED MEN ROB LIQUOR STORE

Four men and a woman at a Honolulu liquor store were robbed late Thursday by three armed men in their late teens to early 20s, police said.

Three men, one armed with a shotgun and two others with knives, entered the store and demanded money and property, police said. After obtaining the goods, they fled on foot.

THREE MEN SOUGHT IN WAI'ANAE ROBBERY

Three men are wanted by police for robbing the Hilltop Market in Wai'anae and assaulting the clerk with a baseball bat.

The men entered the store at 94-307 Farrington Highway about 8:50 p.m. Thursday, police said. They approached the cashier and demanded money, and one suspect struck the clerk with a baseball bat, police said. The others removed merchandise from the store and all three left the market, police said.

Police say the men may have been driving a 2004 two-door Pontiac. They are 18 to 20 years old, wearing T-shirts, which they used to cover their faces.