Some lanes of Ala Wai Boulevard between Nāmāhana and Nui streets were closed last night as workers continued to repair a hydrant valve that broke yesterday afternoon, sending a geyser over the busy street.

The break was reported about 1 p.m. Honolulu Board of Water Supply crews worked throughout the afternoon to isolate the problem. Police closed Ala Wai Boulevard shortly after the break.

As of 7:45 p.m., two lanes of Ala Wai were open to traffic, the agency said. Crews anticipated restoring water service about midnight and expected to open all traffic lanes by this morning.

Three high-rise buildings were without water service. Two water wagons were placed in the area, one fronting the Hawaiian Monarch Hotel and one fronting the Royal Aloha Condominium.

MOTORCYCLIST DIES AFTER CAR STRIKES HIM

A 46-year-old Līhu'e man died after his motorcycle was struck by a car on Kaua'i yesterday.

Police said the collision happened about 4 p.m. on Kaumuali'i Highway near the junction with Maluhia Road. The motorcyclist was traveling east on Kaumuali'i Highway when he was hit by a car turning left onto Maluhia Road, police said.

The man was taken to Wilcox Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Police said he was not wearing a helmet.

A 53-year-old Kōloa woman who was driving the sedan was taken to Wilcox Hospital, treated and released, police said.

Police closed one lane of Maluhia Road for more than two hours while they conducted their investigation.

BEATING SUSPECT WILL HAVE TO STAND TRIAL

Kevin H. Dale yesterday was ordered to stand trial on a charge of beating to death his former girlfriend who had obtained a restraining order against him.

A District Court judge heard testimony from medical experts, police and neighbors of Dale before ruling there was sufficient evidence to bring him to trial.

The victim, Christi Hokoana, 33, died Jan. 15 of injuries suffered Jan. 9 at Dale's Ala Wai Boulevard apartment.

Hokoana's uncle and legal guardian obtained a restraining order in April 2009 against Dale prohibiting him from having any contact with the victim until 2029.

FACE TAKING RAIL CONCERNS TO D.C.

The Faith Action for Community Equity group said it is traveling to Washington, D.C., next week because of concerns that Honolulu's rail project could siphon money from the city's bus system.

FACE, which said it supports rail, said it is working with groups around the country to pass an amendment to a jobs bill in Congress allowing cities to use up to 10 percent of their federal funds to subsidize existing systems.

FACE leaders will join interfaith leaders from 20 other urban areas at the Transportation Equity Network's annual meeting in Washington, D.C. They will ask officials for help in closing the gap in Hawai'i's rail plan.

The city is proposing to divert a total of $300 million from TheBus to pay for a planned $5.3 billion train.