Twelve people were arrested yesterday and accused of taking part in a forgery scheme that involved stolen money orders.

The eight men and four women were arrested throughout the island yesterday. Each was booked for first-degree forgery and charges were pending last night.

Details were not available last night. But police said they had been investigating "a number" of forgery cases and the 12 were identified as suspects. Police launched an operation to round them up, and they were arrested without incident.

LAB SCHOOL FUND REACHES $34,120

Donations to help the University Laboratory School continue to pour in, with $34,120 being pledged so far, the UH Foundation said yesterday.

A 67-year-old building that housed the school's orchestra, theater and athletic programs was destroyed in a fire on June 13. Fire officials have determined the cause was arson.

University of Hawai'i offices also were in the Metcalf Street structure. Fire officials have estimated damage at $6.5 million, but school officials have said it could be more.

To donate to the Lab School, reach the UH Foundation at 956-3711 or see www.uhf.hawaii.edu.

LEAKY HALE'IWA WATER MAIN FIXED

The Board of Water Supply repaired a leak on a 6-inch water main at 62-490 Kamehameha Highway, near Jameson's by the Sea Restaurant in Hale'iwa yesterday.

Officials said water service was restored at 10:40 a.m., and the work site was cleared and restored to normal conditions by 1:30 p.m. Customers had water service during repair work.

H-3 LANE CLOSINGS ANNOUNCED

There will be lane closures in the Kane'ohe-bound direction along the H-3 Freeway between the Halekou Interchange and the exit to Kamehameha Highway today and tomorrow, between 8:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. for pavement repair.

During this time, the H-3 Freeway (Kane'ohe-bound) exit to Kamehameha Highway will be closed for paving.

KAILUA PLANNING FABULOUS FOURTH

Kailua will celebrate Independence Day with a parade, air show and fireworks display.

Dorothy Rose Babineau, the "Bird Lady" of Hawai'i, will be the grand marshal for the Kailua Fourth of July Parade at 10 a.m., starting at the intersection of Omao Street and Kainalu Drive and continuing on Kainalu to Kailua District Park.

The parade, sponsored by the Kailua Chamber of Commerce, will feature more than 60 entrants, including five marching bands, one of which is from New Zealand, veterans from the armed forces, clowns, and because it's an election year, politicians.

The chamber also will sponsor the Seventh Twilight Air Show in which pilots Hank Bruckner and Clint Churchill will execute 30 flying maneuvers in aerobatic planes at 6 p.m. over Kailua Beach Park.

A fireworks display launched from a barge off Kailua Beach Park will follow at 8 p.m.

DINNER TO BENEFIT HALE OLA SHELTER

Soroptimist International of Windward O'ahu will host a silent auction dinner July 16 to benefit the Hale Ola Spouse Abuse Shelter. The event will begin at 6 p.m. at the Marine Corps Base Hawaii Officers Club.

"Shine On Honu Moon" will feature turtle-theme articles, get-away packages, dinners at restaurants, spa packages, rare framed artwork, jewelry, a king-sized Hawaiian quilt and more.

Tickets are $50 per person and must be purchased in advance. Call Marion Mullins at 263-2764 or Lorna Awana at 780-2351.

GARAGE SALE WILL HELP CIVIC CLUB

The Ko'olaupoko Hawaiian Civic Club will sponsor a garage sale from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 1 at the He'eia Elementary School cafeteria.

The sale will include furniture, books, clothing, electronics, collectibles, plants, baked goods and more donated by people throughout the community.

Proceeds will benefit the club's cultural education programs. The civic club provides scholarships, heritage tours and lectures. Its members also care for heiau in the Ko'olaupoko area, including Kawa'ewa'e Heiau in Kane'ohe and Kukuianiani Heiau in Waikane.

Reach Georgi at 224-8514 or write to georgimaile@aol.com to volunteer or become a member.

LIBRARY TO EXTEND OPERATING HOURS

The Pearl City Public Library will expand its schedule from five to six days and will add four hours to its weekly schedule beginning July 7.

The new hours will be: