U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific and BAE Systems, a worldwide partner of the USO, will present a free concert, "Na Mele o na Keiki" or "Music for the Children," at 7 p.m. Dec. 10 at the Blaisdell Concert Hall.

The concert will be performed by the Marine Corps Forces Pacific Band with guest artists Danny Kaleikini, Carole Kai, Jim Nabors, Jasmine Trias, Jake Shimabukuro, the Honolulu Boy Choir and jazz/blues guitarist Chris Vandercook.

Tickets will be required, and may be picked up free of charge at the Blaisdell Box Office beginning Nov. 21. There is a limit of four per person.

Reserve Marines from the 4th Force Reconnaissance Company, based at Marine Corps Base Hawai'i, will be on hand to accept donations to the Marine Corps' annual Toys for Tots program. All the toys and donations collected in Hawai'i stay in Hawai'i to benefit less-fortunate keiki.

In the past 12 years, the Hawai'i Toys for Tots program has collected nearly 600,000 toys — and nearly $340,000 to purchase toys — which have made the holidays brighter for more than 370,000 children.

The Salvation Army will again handle toy distribution.

SHIPPING AT STATE PORTS INSPECTED

Inspectors with several federal and state agencies this week joined forces to enforce hazardous materials shipping requirements and standards in several key Hawai'i ports, the Coast Guard said.

The U.S. Coast Guard helped organized the 2008 Multi-Agency Strike Force Operation at O'ahu, Maui and Big Island harbors. The three-day event ended yesterday.

The operation focused attention on the enforcement of hazardous materials shipping requirements and safety standards for shipping container material condition.

Inspectors from the federal and state Departments of Transportation, Customs and Border Protection, National Cargo Bureau, State of Hawai'i Public Safety and Agriculture departments, and several Coast Guard units joined forces to work with shipping companies and facilities.

Teams on O'ahu inspected 65 hazardous and general cargo containers in Honolulu Harbor and found eight deficiencies. Maui teams inspected nine containers in Kahului Harbor and identified two deficiencies while Big Island teams inspected 23 containers in Kawaihae and Hilo, identifying and correcting two deficiencies.

WATER MAIN IN MAKAHA BREAKS

A water main break in Makaha Valley early yesterday resulted in a torrent of water and debris, damaging a townhouse building and at least two cars.

The break in the 16-inch pipe was reported about 1:30 a.m. yesterday near 84-680 Kili Drive, police said. It broke beneath a section of road between Ala Mahiku Street and Huipu Drive, causing a huge sinkhole, Board of Water Supply spokeswoman Tracy Burgo said.

Residents of Makaha Valley Plantation said the water hit the building like a wave and sent rocks and debris flying.

Board of Water Supply crews were working to restore water service. A water wagon was parked in the neighborhood so residents could fetch water.

Kili Drive between Farrington Highway and Huipu Drive was closed to traffic. Traffic was diverted onto Ala Mahiku Street and Makaha Valley Road.

JOIN COMMUNITY MARSH RESTORATION

The Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife and the Hawai'i Nature Center will hold a community appreciation day from 8:30 a.m. until noon today at Pouhala Marsh, a 70-acre wildlife sanctuary in Waipahu.

Pouhala Marsh is the largest intact coastal wetland remaining in the Pearl Harbor basin. Community members will help to restore the health of the marsh by removing invasive species, planting trees and participating in a stream cleanup.

Volunteers will pull pickle weed and California grass, two non-native species that encroach on the native plant habitat.

The Pouhala stream bank and fence line will be planted with native kou and milo propagated at the state Division of Forestry and Wildlife nursery in Makiki. Mulching and watering efforts will improve the health of previous planting sites. The DOFAW nursery staff are growing loulu palm and hala for future plantings at Pouhala.

"DLNR welcomes and appreciates the active involvement of organizations such as the Hawai'i Nature Center," said Laura H. Thielen, DLNR chairwoman. "Public-private partnerships are making a significant difference when resources and talents can be combined to build rewarding and meaningful community stewardship of natural resources in our state."

Organizers suggest that volunteers bring work gloves, water, hat, sunscreen, towel and change of clothes. Covered footwear and long pants are required.