In Brief | State 2-10-13

Archaeological survey for rail completed

HONOLULU — After a $5 billion project to expand Honolulu rail was stopped by court order, the project is closer to being restarted now that an archaeological survey looking for historic human remains along the proposed corridor is complete.

The state Supreme Court ordered the project stopped so the archaeological survey could be done to check for Native Hawaiian burials and other artifacts along the proposed rail corridor. The 20-mile rail line is being built to connect Honolulu’s western suburbs with the city center. Since 2009, surveyors have dug more than 400 trenches along the route, according to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.

Officials reported that the work uncovered seven human remains, including two that were deemed full burials.

U.S., Japanese officials remember Ehime Maru

HONOLULU — U.S. and Japanese officials gathered in Honolulu to remember nine crewmembers who died when a Navy submarine rammed into a Japanese fishing school ship off Oahu 12 years ago.

Ehime Vice Gov. Keiji Joko and Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie joined Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell and others at Kakaako Waterfront Park for a memorial ceremony on Saturday.

Nine boys and men were killed when the USS Greeneville struck the Ehime Maru, slicing its hull. Twenty-six people were rescued from the Ehime Maru. No injuries were reported on the 360-foot nuclear-powered sub.

By wire sources