Oahu heat record might not stand

Following a record-breaking week of scorching temperatures, technicians from the National Weather Service are testing the accuracy of the thermometer at Honolulu Airport.

According to Bill Ward of the National Weather Service, there is some proof of a warm bias—elevated readings due to airplane engines or reflected heat from concrete—and the Weather Service will likely change the sensor today.

“;Certain components tend to fail after a period of time,”; said Ward, who added that the thermometer wasn't necessarily broken.

Once the new sensor is installed, technicians will follow up with a comparison of the two thermometers and the records may not stand, said Ward.

Rain settles suit over isle show

South Korean pop star and actor Rain has settled a lawsuit in Hawaii over a canceled concert, reports in Seoul, South Korea, said today.

The June 2007 concert by the performer called the “;Justin Timberlake of Asia”; was canceled with just a few days' notice. Disappointed fans had paid up to $300 per ticket and some flew to Hawaii from Japan or South Korea.

A federal jury this year ordered Rain and his former managers to pay a Hawaii promoter more than $8 million in damages. It said Rain, his former agency, JYP Entertainment Co., and two South Korean promotion companies breached a contract and defrauded Click Entertainment Inc.

Rain settled the suit last week in Hawaii, South Korea's Kookmin Ilbo newspaper said, citing a U.S. court document. No details on financial compensation were given.

Other South Korean newspapers and broadcasters carried similar stories.

Public invited to symposium on rail

Train manufacturers and transit officials from various cities will be among the guest speakers at a symposium about rail transit from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Neal Blaisdell Exhibition Hall.

One of the speakers will be Dan Doyle, executive vice president of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games, who will discuss Vancouver's SkyTrain system.

The event is free but seating is limited for the speaking engagements in the Blaisdell's Pikake Room.

To register, visit honolulutransit.org and download the registration form.

Real estate, housing focus of Kauai fair

Information on housing opportunities and how to avoid losing your home will be available to Kauai residents at an educational fair Friday and Saturday.

The fair, sponsored by the Kauai Board of Realtors and Kauai County Housing Agency, will offer workshops for first-time home-buyers, information about avoiding foreclosures, modifying loans, short sales, rental property management and county housing programs.

Other topics include:

» Financing options for home-buyers and renters.

» Preparing to buy or rent affordable housing units that are scheduled for completion in the next few years.

» How fair housing laws affect renters and landlords.

» Property management without a licensed real estate agent.

The fair will be held from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Lihue Civic Center, Piikoi Building.

For more information, call 241-4444.