Honolulu police and University of Hawai'i campus security have increased patrols on and around the Manoa campus because of a recent series of armed robberies.

The most recent case involved two men who were robbed at gunpoint at 9:35 p.m. Monday at Kanewai Park, 2695 Dole St. According to authorities, the male suspect displayed an "Uzi"-type weapon

Honolulu CrimeStoppers yesterday released a sketch of the suspect, who is about 6 feet, 180 to 200 pounds, and was wearing an Army green camouflage jacket with the name tag "Liloa" and dark long pants.

Anyone with information can call Honolulu CrimeStoppers at 955-9300 or *CRIME on a cell phone.

UH security issued a campus alert about the robberies. Campus Security escort service is available by calling 956-8211.

STOP RAIL HEARING SET FOR MONDAY

Stop Rail Now's effort to get an anti-rail ordinance on the general election ballot will get another day in court.

The state Intermediate Court of Appeals has scheduled a hearing on Monday concerning the group's appeal of an unfavorable Circuit Court ruling.

Earlier this month, the Honolulu Circuit Court declared that Stop Rail Now needs nearly 45,000 valid signatures to place its proposed ordinance on the Nov. 4 ballot. The group has collected about 35,000 valid signatures.

November voters will still get to vote on whether to proceed with building a steel-wheel-on-steel-rail train even if Stop Rail Now's appeal fails.

POLICE CHECK CARS AT 'SEWERS BEACH'

About a dozen police officers converged on Lualualei Beach Park I, better known as "Sewers Beach," yesterday afternoon to conduct a routine check of vehicles, said Sgt. Jayson Kauwenaole, in charge of the operation.

For several years, the beach has had one of the larger homeless encampments on the Wai'anae Coast.

"All we are doing is checking vehicles," Kauwenaole said.

He said officers were looking at cars, vans and motorcycles to determine whether they have been stolen, have expired tags, safety stickers, or other violations. He said such spot checks are done periodically at beaches on the coast.

Kauwenaole said yesterday's vehicle check had nothing to do with the scheduled cleanup of the beach beginning Oct. 12. The beach will be closed to the public during the cleanup, which will last about a week. After the cleanup, the beach will be closed from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily.

SEARCH FOR KAUA'I MAN CONTINUES

The search on Kaua'i for a missing 80-year-old fisherman will resume today.

Robert Nakashima Sr. of Kilauea was reported missing Monday night. Searchers previously found his fishing bag and pickup truck at Makapili Point near Secret Beach in Kilauea.

A Civil Air Patrol fixed-wing aircraft joined the search effort yesterday at 4 p.m. Earlier yesterday afternoon, divers began snorkeling along the coast of Kilauea as part of an expanded search, officials said.

Fire rescue specialists and lifeguards on jet-propelled watercraft searched the shoreline and water along the coastline from 8:45 a.m. yesterday until dark. Relatives and friends of the fisherman are assisting in the search.