Sean Kennard, 23, a former student of Ellen Masaki and currently with Enrique Graf at the School of the Arts, College of Charleston, was awarded first prize in the XXXIV "Dr. Luis Sigall" International Piano Competition held in Viña del Mar, Chile.

The Honolulu resident, who won a string of awards while studying with Masaki, played the Chopin Concerto in F Minor, Op.21. He received $10,000, a medal and 2008 engagements with the National Symphony of Chile in Santiago. He was also awarded the prize for "Best interpretation of the required piece," written by Chilean composer Jorge Pepi. Kennard was one of 19 pianists from 14 nations in the finals.

— Wayne Harada, Advertiser entertainment writer

QUEEN FOR MUCH MORE THAN A DAY

LONDON — Queen Elizabeth II became Britain's oldest-ever monarch yesterday, reaching a new milestone in a job she has held for more than a half century — one that comes with luxurious accommodation, long hours and little chance of retirement.

Elizabeth, 81, passed the mark set by her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria. Her son Prince Charles closed in on the title of longest-waiting heir to the throne.

Victoria was born on May 24, 1819, and lived for 81 years and 243 days.

Palace officials said there would be no special events to mark the occasion.

JUDGE NOT HAPPY WITH MR. R. KELLY

CHICAGO — R. Kelly avoided arrest yesterday by showing up in court, but the judge presiding over his child pornography case said he'll consider revoking the singer's bond despite his excuse: that police made him late.

Judge Vincent Gaughan said he was "very disappointed" that Kelly, in the midst of a concert tour, failed to show up for a scheduled Wednesday appearance.

Kelly attorney Ed Genson said his client was tardy because police who pulled over his bus in Utah discovered the log book didn't document enough rest for the driver and ordered it stopped for eight hours.

Gaughan admonished the R&B superstar in court anyway, saying he'll decide today whether he should revoke Kelly's bond. The judge also was to set a trial date today.

GIBSON'S RANT ALMOST LEFT OUT

LOS ANGELES — A sheriff's supervisor considered withholding details about Mel Gibson's anti-Semitic rant from an arrest report but was eventually overrruled by a captain, a department watchdog said yesterday.

Gibson was arrested July 28, 2006, for misdemeanor drunken driving in Malibu. The actor-director's remarks provoked outrage and he later apologized.

After pleading no contest to the charge on Aug. 17, 2006, Gibson was given three years' probation, fined $1,400 and attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.

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