HPU to hold graduation ceremony today

Hawaii’s largest private university will hold its winter commencement ceremony today.

Hawaii Pacific University’s graduation will be held from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Blaisdell Arena.

The commencement speaker is Ramsay Taum, a Native Hawaiian cultural expert and managing director of Blue Continent Holdings LLC.

There will be three valedictory speakers to address more than 650 graduates receiving associate, baccalaureate and master’s degrees. Harald Rittersbacher will represent the undergraduate degree programs. Courtney Matsuki will represent the graduate degree programs, and Devin Kibler will speak on behalf of HPU’s Military Campus Programs.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Solar project will benefit cultural center

One of Maui’s largest solar projects has been installed in Kahului.

The 463-kilowatt system with nearly 2,000 panels will provide renewable power for the Maui Arts & Cultural Center.

As part of a power purchase agreement, SolarCity installed the system for free, and the center will pay for the solar power the panels produce at a rate lower than what it pays for electricity.

Center President and CEO Art Vento said that as a nonprofit, the center needs to find ways to reduce costs. The installation also allows the center to reduce its carbon footprint.

A dedication ceremony that included a traditional Hawaiian blessing and remarks from the governor was held last week.

Police seek suspects in attack at park

Hawaii County police are asking the public for information on an assault on Oct. 24 at Wailoa State Park in Hilo.

Three teenage males were attacked at about 7:30 p.m. that day when four vehicles drove into the parking lot and six to eight men got out and attacked them with baseball bats.

The victims — two Hilo men, ages 18 and 19, and a 17-year-old Pahoa boy — were in the parking lot near the large pavilion when the men attacked them.

Police ask that anyone who may have witnessed the assault or who knows the identity of any of the attackers call Detective Robert Almeida at 961-2386 or the police nonemergency line at 935-3311.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call CrimeStoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. All CrimeStoppers information is kept confidential.