FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM
Jake Delaney, left, and Warren Cooper walked down the closed street yesterday in Kailua enjoying the festivities at the Cool Kailua Nights block party.

DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM
Hawaii joined in the annual World Wetlands Day yesterday with activities at Kailua's Le Jardin Academy, which overlooks Kawainui Marsh and Hamakua. Here, Uluwehi Hopkins, middle left, gave a tour of the wetland area to, from left, Lydi Morgan, Jeanne Hirokawa, and her son John. On the far left was videographer, Rob Kinslow. The area, once a lagoon, was used by Hawaiians and early immigrants as a fishpond, taro field, and rice paddy before being abandoned in the 1920s, when the marsh began to form.

DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM
A statewide "Beach Access Protest" yesterday had rallies scheduled at the state Capitol; in Kailua; at the Ala Moana Bowls parking area; at various places along Kalanianaole Highway; and at Kahului Harbor on Maui. Kahala Titcomb, left, holding her 3-year-old son, Reef Titcomb; Lynn Soldat, Kahala's mother; Yesenia Vazquez; and Luana Brown waved to passing cars on Kalaheo Avenue.