Police chief applications available now

The Honolulu Police Commission is accepting applications for police chief until July 24.

Internet and newspaper ads began running July 5, with a base salary posted as $136,236 annually.

Applications also are being accepted until Friday for a consultant to advise in the search for chief.

Tim Johns, former director of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, chairs the selection committee.

The minimum requirements are U.S. citizenship, a bachelor's degree or equivalent and a minimum of five years of law enforcement experience.

Applications are available at the commission at 1060 Richards St., Suite 170.

The commission aims to make a selection by the end of the year, but it could come sooner, commission Chairwoman Christine Camp said. If no qualified responses are received initially, the deadline might be extended, Camp said.

Break in waterline causes traffic jam in Leeward area

Frustrated motorists endured 90-minute delays yesterday as police directed traffic around a water main break in Nanakuli.

The Board of Water Supply said a 24-inch pipe ruptured at 87-2070 Farrington Highway near the Nanakuli Sack 'N Save yesterday at about 11:25 p.m. The cause was not immediately known.

Police were redirecting all traffic onto side streets at Lualualei Naval Road and Helelua Street. Waianae-bound traffic was backed up for about three miles, pass the Ko Olina Resort & Marina, a Waianae police sergeant said. Diamond Head-bound traffic was light.

A Board of Water Supply employee said customers in the area may have experienced low water pressure.

Road repairs were expected to be completed late last night.

Carlos loses steam as storm moves slowly toward isles

Tropical Storm Carlos, downgraded from a hurricane yesterday, was still packing gusts of 60 to 70 mph as it slowly churned toward the isles.

The storm was about 2,300 miles east of Hilo at one point yesterday, moving toward the islands at 10 mph.

Carlos could regain hurricane strength in the next three days, forecasters warned.

“;It would be prudent to keep an eye on the system,”; said National Weather Service forecaster Derek Wroe, “;but because it is so far away, it is still early for people to take action at this point of time.”;

Carlos formed Thursday off the coast of Baja California.

Windward college is first to offer veterinary program

Windward Community College is offering a certificate program for veterinary assistants starting this fall.

The college said it is the first such program to be offered in Hawaii and is aimed at those interested in working with animals in a veterinarian's office, animal shelter or research laboratory.

Skills taught include performing routine physical exams, collecting samples, performing clinical lab procedures, assisting with dental and surgical procedures, maintaining lab equipment and generating invoices.

The certificate requires passing 12 classes designed to be completed in two semesters. Resident tuition is about $2,200.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Trade group touts rising sun power

PUKALANI, MAUI » A nonprofit trade group that promotes photovoltaic panels for solar power hosted its fourth annual technology show Saturday.

The Hawaii PV Coalition's “;House of the Sun”; tour featured businesses, residences and even a private waste-water treatment plant that use solar panels, the Maui News reported.

“;The popular misconception is that some new technology will come along and make my system obsolete, so I should wait,”; said Brad Albert, president of the coalition and owner of Rising Sun Solar Electric in Haiku. “;But here we have real people, real buildings, real technology, real results. Nobody waited to buy a Prius.”;

Installations of solar panels on Maui have increased exponentially from seven in 2002 to 413 today as the state and federal governments provided tax credits that covered about 50 percent of the price, Albert said.