Panel OKs Supreme Court nominee

The Senate Judiciary Committee has given its go-ahead for Chief Intermediate Court of Appeals Judge Mark E. Recktenwald to take a seat on the Hawaii Supreme Court.

Recktenwald now faces a confirmation vote by the full Senate. The 53-year-old Recktenwald would succeed Associate Justice Steven Levinson, who retired in December.

Gov. Linda Lingle nominated Recktenwald to the state's highest court last month from a list of six candidates submitted by the Judicial Selection Committee. She also appointed him to the appellate court in 2007. Before that, Recktenwald was director of the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and an assistant U.S. attorney.

Sobriety checkpoints sprouting up

Honolulu police will be increasing sobriety checkpoints this weekend and the upcoming holidays including St. Patrick's Day, spring break and Easter, a police news release said.

The checkpoints will be set up at unannounced times and locations starting this week through April 30.

Police are reminding drivers to drive more carefully. So far this year, 17 people have died in 15 traffic crashes on Oahu. Alcohol or speed were factors in six of those crashes.

Hearing set on school consolidation

A public hearing to consider a report on merging Wailupe Valley and Aina Haina elementary schools will be held at 6 p.m. April 8 at Niu Valley Middle School cafeteria.

The report, prepared by a task force appointed by the Department of Education, is available at both elementary school offices and at doe.k12.hi.us.

The task force will consider public input and then advise Complex Area Superintendent Ronn Nozoe on whether to consolidate the two schools and, if so, when.

Testimony may be submitted at the public hearing; mailed to the DOE Honolulu District Office, 4967 Kilauea Ave., Honolulu 96816; or e-mailed to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). The office can be reached at 733-4760.

Schofield Barracks closing 2 gates

Two Schofield Barracks gates are closing this month for construction, an Army news release said.

McNair Gate will remain closed until March 18, and Macomb Gate will close March 25 to April 8. All other gates will be open as usual. Motorists should expect delays and are advised to use alternate routes.