Le Jardin Academy in Kailua will host the Ramsar World Wetlands Day celebration from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today at its campus overlooking the marsh on Kapa'a Quarry Road.

The event includes free tours around the Kawai Nui and Hamakua wetlands, free posters, entertainment, plate lunch, exhibits and lectures.

In 2005 Kawai Nui-Hamakua wetlands, the largest in Hawai'i, were designated as a wetland of international importance by the U.S. Ramsar Committee because of its significance as a fishpond by early Hawaiians and numerous cultural and archeological sites.

Kim Diana Connolly, a member of the Ramsar Committee, will give the keynote address at 11:15 a.m.

POPULATION SEEN AT 1.7 MILLION BY 2035

Hawai'i's population is on the rise although it is not expected to increase as rapidly as it did before 2005.

The Islands are expected to have nearly 1.7 million people by 2035, an increase of more than 400,000 from 2005.

State officials say the population is also getting older, with the percentage of people 65 and over expected to rise from roughly 14 percent of the population in 2005 to 22 percent in 2035.

The percentages of school-age children and working-aged people are expected to drop.

In its latest estimates, the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism expects the Big Island to see the largest population increase, followed by Maui, Kaua'i and O'ahu.

State officials expect economic growth to outpace population increases.

YEAR OF THE RAT CELEBRATION

Hawaii Kai Towne Center will hold a Chinese New Year celebration from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. today to welcome the year of the rat.

The festivities will feature fireworks, a kung fu demonstration and a lion dance with two lions from the Wah Ngai Lion Dance Association. After the two lions kick off the performance at the Waterfront stage at 11 a.m., they will visit participating stores and restaurants throughout Towne Center.

For more information, call Hawaii Kai Towne Center at 396-0766. The center is on Kalaniana'ole Highway at Keahole Drive, anchored by Costco and City Mill.

LANE CLOSURES ON FARRINGTON

The state Department of Transportation is advising motorists of single-lane closures on Farrington Highway in the Makaha direction from Kahe Point Beach Park to Kili Drive today from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Segments of the lane are being closed to facilitate street light repairs.

Motorists are asked to use caution while driving through the work areas and to allow for extra time.

COUNCIL TO UPDATE PLAN FOR HARBORS

The Governor's West Hawai'i Community Advisory Council will meet at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Hamakua Mac Nut Company "Old Pioneer Warehouse" at 61-3251 Maluokalani St. in Kawaihae.

Officials from the departments of Transportation and Land and Natural Resources will update the council and community on the state's Kawaihae Harbor modernization plan. The improvements are part of the six-year, $824.1 million Harbors Modernization Plan, which includes $87.8 million in improvements for Kawaihae Harbor and $61.4 million for Hilo Harbor.

FIRE DAMAGES APARTMENT UNIT

Fire damaged a Makaha apartment unit yesterday.

A Fire Department spokesman said the fire started about 4:13 p.m. in the second-floor unit on Ala Mahiku Street. No other units in the three-story building were damaged. The fire was extinguished by 4:27 p.m.

Officials said a single man lives in the apartment. No one was home at the time of the fire.

The cause of the fire was under investigation.