Man indicted in murder

A 59-year-old homeless man accused of the beating death of a 70-year-old homeless man was indicted by an Oahu grand jury yesterday on a murder charge that carries a life prison term without parole.

David Orpin is accused of beating Arthur Martinez, whose body was found in the parking lot of St. Pius X Catholic Church in Manoa on Sept. 29.

The second-degree murder charge carries state’s harshest sentence because Martinez was older than age 60.

UH libraries will be closed

The University of Hawaii at Manoa says Hamilton and Sinclair libraries will be closed Dec. 18 through Jan. 2 as part of a collective-bargaining agreement and due to a reduced budget allocation from the state.

The libraries are to reopen Jan. 3, the week before spring semester begins.

Waimea marks Makahiki

The managers of Waimea Valley are organizing a day of Makahiki celebrations this month.

On Nov. 21, the valley will offer craft-making for children, Hawaiian games, an ancient hula or hula kahiko performance and a Hawaiian music jam session.

In Hawaiian tradition, Makahiki is a time to honor Lono, the god of harvest and agriculture. It’s also a time to give people and the land a time to rest and rejuvenate.

Kamaaina and those with military identification will be able to enter the valley free on that day.

This is the second year Waimea Valley is holding a Makahiki celebration.