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County/In Brief

Lanai resort named fifth best in U.S.

The Four Seasons Resort Lana’i, The Lodge at Koele, ranks as the fifth best hotel in the United States, according to U.S. News & World Report.

According to U.S. News, its ranking of hotels is based on the collective opinion of travel experts and guests, expressed through online reviews and ratings.

Other Maui County resorts in the rankings were the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea at No. 11 and the Four Seasons Resort Lana’i at Manele Bay at No. 116.

“Our best hotels rankings are designed to take the guesswork out of choosing the right hotel,” said Miriam Weiner, travel editor for U.S. News. “These properties were selected because they meet the highest standards of travel experts and guests alike when it comes to luxury amenities and quality customer service.”

The top four hotels, in order according to the report, are: The Lodge at Sea Island in Georgia, the Inn at Palmetto Bluff in South Carolina, the Allison Inn & Spa in Oregon and Four Seasons Hotel Seattle.

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Ferraro’s restaurant on list for romance

Ferraro’s Bar e Ristorante Maui at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea was named one of the Top 100 Most Romantic Restaurants in America by OpenTable.

The awards are based on the opinions of more than 5 million restaurant reviews by OpenTable diners at 19,000 restaurants in all 50 states on Jan. 14-15.

Seven restaurants from Hawaii, including Ferraro’s, were named in the romantic restaurant list.

OpenTable is a provider of online restaurant reservations.

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Waihee man faces burglary charge

A Waihee man was arrested Monday in connection with a burglary at a Wailuku hostel last week, police said.

Ainsley Kauhola, 32, was charged with first-degree burglary, theft of a credit card and fraudulent use of a credit card. His bail was set at $7,000.

The break-in occurred Saturday in the morning hours at the Banana Bungalow’s television room. A man’s bag and a woman’s backpack containing $2,382 in belongings were stolen.

The woman’s credit card was used at a nearby gas station to make purchases.

Police said Kauhola was identified as a suspect through surveillance video.

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Auction to benefit Book Trust Hawaii

Book Trust Extravaganza: For Collectors of Fine Art, Wine & Books, the second annual Book Trust Hawaii fundraiser will begin at 5:30 p.m. Saturday at Gannon’s restaurant in Wailea with a silent auction.

A live auction will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Auction items will include works of art from the region’s artists; private classes from local artists, chefs and mixology experts; local expeditions; weekend trips; Mainland getaways; handcrafted jewelry; author-signed book collections; and beloved children’s books signed and donated by celebrities, according to a news release. Auction items may be viewed at www.booktrust.org/BTE2014_auction_items.

Book Trust Hawaii empowers children from low-income families in Hawaii to choose and own $7 worth of books from Scholastic Book Clubs each month of the school year. Book Trust is serving 5,700 students in 18 Maui County schools.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.booktrust.org/extravaganza 2014 or contact Ann Nicol at anicol@booktrust.org. Tickets are $125 per person.

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Recycling event Upcountry Saturday

Community Work Day – Malama Maui Nui will hold its monthly Malama ‘Aina Recycling Event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at King Kekaulike High School.

A Community Work Day road crew and volunteers will accept scrap metal, bicycles, appliances, lawn mowers, cooking oil, cellular phones, household batteries, vehicle batteries, printer cartridges, computers, electronics, HI-5 recyclables, telephone books, newspapers, magazines, cardboard, used eyeglasses and hearing aids, books, DVDs, clothing, other household items and non-HI-5 glass, plastic, aluminum recyclables.

Motor oil, hazardous fluids, green waste and vehicles will not be accepted. Paper shredding will not be available. There is a suggested $5 fee to drop off regular-sized vehicle tires.

Residents are also encouraged to bring a nonperishable donation for Feed My Sheep, a mobile food distribution program for Mauians in need.

For more information on acceptable items, contact CWD at 877-2524 or visit www.cwdhawaii.org.

County/In Brief

Inmate faces charges after failed return

An inmate who didn’t return to the Wailuku jail after being released on work furlough was charged with escape, police said.

Bail was set at $1,000 for Jonathan Villanueva, 29, on the second-degree escape charge.

He had been released from the Maui Community Correctional Center on Jan. 9 to work in Lahaina but was told he wasn’t needed at the job that day, police said. Instead of returning to the jail, Villanueva was in Lahaina when jail officials learned he didn’t have to work and called him to tell him to return to the jail, police said.

Villanueva remained out of contact with jail officials until Jan. 18, when sheriff’s deputies followed up on a tip that Villanueva was in the Kahului area, police said. Deputies found Villanueva sleeping in the bushes, police said.

According to court records, Villanueva has convictions for first-degree burglary and second-degree theft.

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Kamehameha center link to community

The Kamehameha Schools Resource Center – Maui is now open in the Millyard at 210 Imi Kala St., No. 203 in Wailuku.

The center, like other regional centers statewide, serves as a link between the community and Kamehameha Schools.

Tracy Kealoha is the Maui Resource Center manager.

Kealoha can be reached via email at trkealoh@ksbe.edu or by phone at 242-1891. Hours for the new office are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays.

Kamehameha Schools preschool applications for the Paukukalo, ‘A’apueo and Hana Kamehameha Schools preschools are due by Friday.

Applications for the Explorations Summer Series are due by Feb. 15.

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Arrest in break-in, theft of copper wire

Bail was set at $20,000 for a Wailuku man who was arrested for breaking into a Kahului building and stealing copper wire, police said.

Vincent Manaois, 48, was charged with second-degree burglary, theft of copper, second-degree theft, possession of burglar’s tools and second-degree criminal trespassing.

The break-in occurred Sunday morning at the former Maui Land & Pineapple Co. building now occupied by Maui Cattle Co. and Nan Inc., police said. Manaois broke into the building and took apart air-conditioning units to steal copper wire, police said.

He was apprehended with 15 pounds of copper, according to police. The second-degree theft and second-degree criminal trespassing charges stemmed from an earlier break-in and theft of copper from the same building, police said.

County/In Brief

Police deny naming ‘person of interest’

The Maui Police Department has not identified anyone as a person of interest in the case of missing Maui woman Moreira “Mo” Monsalve, according to a news release issued Sunday.

Police said that a Hawaii News Now report on Saturday was incorrect in stating that a person of interest had been identified.

Monsalve’s case is still classified as a missing person and police are continuing to investigate, according to the release.

Monsalve, 46, was last seen around 10 p.m. Jan. 12 at her ex-boyfriend’s residence in Wailuku. She is described as 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighing about 170 pounds. She has brown hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information about her whereabouts is asked to call police at 244-6400.

Information about upcoming searches can be found on the “Mowatch missing person Moreira Monsalve” Facebook page at www.facebook.com/mowatchmoreiramonsalve?ref=br_tf.

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Fire burns vacant structure in Wailuku

A vacant Wailuku structure was destroyed by fire early Sunday, according to fire officials.

Fire crews from Wailuku and Kahului responded to the blaze at 636 Kaae Road, which was reported at 2:54 a.m., to find the 600-square-foot building engulfed in flames, Fire Services Chief Lee Mainaga said. The single-story, two-bedroom wooden structure was completely destroyed, with damage estimated at $60,000.

The fire cause is under investigation, Mainaga said. There were no injuries reported.

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UH-MC meeting is for student candidates

The University of Hawaii Maui College will hold an information meeting for people interested in in the fields of agriculture and natural resources Wednesday.

The meeting will be from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the Ho’oulu ag building, room 104.

Topics to be covered include transferring to other institutions after beginning academic and technical training on Maui or Molokai, and information about Oregon State University’s degree in general agriculture that allows UH-MC students the opportunity to pursue a bachelor’s degree.

For more information, call Linda Fujitani at 984-3226.

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KAOI Radio Group to air State of Union

KAOI Radio Group will air President Barack Obama’s State of Union speech live Tuesday.

The president’s speech will begin at 4 p.m. and can be heard on 1110 AM and 96.7 FM.

County / In Brief

State of County scheduled for February

Mayor Alan Arakawa will deliver the 2014 State of the County address from 5 to 6 p.m. Feb. 5 at the McCoy Studio Theater at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center in Kahului.

The address will highlight the county’s achievements in 2013, outline plans for the current year and discuss issues facing the county, a news release from the Mayor’s Office said.

Doors will open at 4:30 p.m., although attendees are advised that seating inside is limited. Overflow seating with live viewing on a television monitor will be available in the outdoor courtyard.

Light refreshments will be served following the event.

A sign language interpreter will be available during the event. Those requiring other types of assistance or accommodations due to disability are asked to call the Mayor’s Office at 270-7855.

For more information, call 270-7855 or send email to mayors.office@mauicounty.gov.

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Widening project slated to cause delays

A project to widen the Iao Stream bridge on Waiehu Beach Road will result in lane shifts and closures for motorists who can expect delays in the area between Eha Street and Kaae Road beginning Monday, according to an announcement.

Working hours for contractor Hawaiian Dredging and Construction Co. will be 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays, with night work, when required, from 8:30 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Motorists should be cautious and follow traffic control instructions when driving through the work area.

The project is expected to finish in mid-December.

Another project, also beginning Monday, will cause delays and a detour for motorists in Hana between Uakea Road and Keawa Place, according to an announcement from contractor Site Engineering Inc.

Work is expected to be ongoing for six months to widen an existing one-lane box culvert and road widening on Hana Highway.

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Gas prices in Wailuku remain unchanged

The average price of an unleaded gallon of gasoline in Wailuku was unchanged in a week at $4.24, the AAA Hawaii Weekend Gas Watch reported Thursday.

That price was 7 cents more than last month and 16 cents more than a year ago, according to the weekly snapshot of island gas prices.

The state’s average price of $4.02 per gallon also was unchanged. It was 11 cents more than last month and 6 cents less than a year earlier.

Honolulu’s average price of $3.91 was a penny less than last week, 11 cents more than last month and 12 cents less than a year ago. In Hilo, the price was $3.98, which was 1 cent more than last week, 7 cents more than last month and 12 cents less than last year.

The prices are derived from fleet credit card transactions and are combined averages of the last card swipe of the previous day.

County / In Brief

Molokai and Maui set to see high surf

The National Weather Service has issued a high-surf warning for north- and west-facing shores of Molokai and north-facing shores of Maui until 6 p.m. today.

Surf is expected to be in the 30- to 40-foot range today along north-facing shores. Surf on west-facing shores will be 20 to 25 feet, the National Weather Service said.

These dangerous conditions mean that only highly experienced people should enter the water. There will be large breaking surf, significant shore break and dangerous currents, according to a news release from the weather service.

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Firefighters aid hiker who fell off trail

Firefighters helped a California man to safety after he fell off a trail while hiking in Iao Valley on Saturday morning.

Fire crews from Wailuku and Kahului responded to the 9:12 a.m. call.

The 57-year-old San Diego man had fallen 40 to 50 feet but was able to crawl up 15 feet before realizing he was in trouble, Fire Services Chief Lee Mainaga said. Two visiting hikers heard the man’s yells and contacted rescuers.

Firefighters hiked three-fourths of a mile into the trail to the man’s location and found him 25 feet down the side of a cliff, Mainaga said.

The Fire Department’s Air One helicopter was used to lift the man from the trail.

He suffered minor cuts to his face and pain to his ribs, Mainaga said, and drove himself to Maui Memorial Medical Center.

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State DOT announces roadwork schedule

The state Department of Transportation has announced that work on Maui County roads this week is scheduled in the following areas:

* There will be single-lane closures in the northbound direction of Honoapiilani Highway between Kaanapali Parkway and Puukolii Road from 8:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Tuesday through Friday for water main installations. Traffic will be contraflowed using a southbound lane.

* Lane detours will occur in both directions of Haleakala Highway between Kula Highway and Pulehuiki Road from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Friday for pavement resurfacing.

* There will be a single-lane closure in the eastbound direction of Hana Highway at Milepost 14 between Papaaea and Wailua roads from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday for slope stabilization work. Motorists are advised to use caution while driving through the area.

County / In Brief

State lawmakers’ committees altered

Two Maui County state lawmakers have been affected by new committee assignments in the state House of Representatives, according to an announcement Thursday.

Upcountry Rep. Kyle Yamashita was appointed vice chairman of the Labor and Public Employment Committee, but he will remain a member of the Finance, Public Safety and Transportation committees.

Rep. Mele Carroll, who represents East Maui, Molokai and Lanai, will no longer serve on the Consumer Protection and Commerce and Judiciary committees, but she remains chairwoman of the Human Services Committee and a member of the Health and Housing committees.

The committee assignments for Yamashita and Carroll, both Democrats, are updated from those listed in a directory of Maui County state House and Senate members published on Page A4 on Wednesday.

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Landscaping project honors Tu B’Shvat

The Jewish Congregation of Maui will observe Tu B’Shvat, or the new year of trees, with a landscaping community service project from 9 a.m. to noon Sunday at the Olowalu Cultural Reserve, according to an announcement.

Congregation members will plant coconut palms, weed taro patches and tour the ancient ahupuaa, or Hawaiian land division from the mountains to the sea.

The project is open to the public. Volunteers should wear long pants, closed-toe shoes, gloves and hats. Sunscreen is recommended. Water, equipment and tools will be provided.

Volunteers will meet at the Olowalu General Store at 8:45 a.m. For more information, call 874-5397.

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Transformer trouble leaves homes dark

A problem with a transformer in Waiehu led about 2,000 customers in parts of Waihee, Waiehu and Kahakuloa to lose power shortly after midnight Friday, according to Maui Electric Co.

Power was restored to 1,400 customers at 2:47 a.m., and the remaining residents were back online by 3:30 a.m., said MECO spokeswoman Kau’i Awai-Dickson.

County/In Brief

Men suffer burns in industrial incident

Two men suffered burns while working on electrical power lines in Haiku on Wednesday afternoon, police said.

The industrial accident occurred at about 3 p.m. when one man was reaching for a temporary jumper line and there was a loud noise, followed by what was described as an electrical arc, police said.

The two men were employees of Henkels and McCoy, a contractor for Maui Electric Co. Both men are 26-year-old Kihei residents, according to police.

The workers suffered partial thickness burns and were in stable condition when they were transported by ambulance to Maui Memorial Medical Center. The two were later transported to Straub Hospital on Oahu for additional medical care.

A power outage affecting 1,322 customers in Haiku occurred as a result of the incident, and power was restored shortly before 4 p.m.

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Emergency siren malfunctions in Kihei

A Civil Defense siren malfunctioned at 10:35 a.m. Thursday off Kilohana Drive in Kihei, but there was no emergency, Maui County officials said.

“We apologize for this inconvenience and are looking into the cause of the malfunction,” officials said in an announcement.

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Slight increase for gas prices in Wailuku

The average price of an unleaded gallon of gas in Wailuku rose 3 cents in a week to $4.24, the highest cost of fuel of areas reported in Hawaii in AAA Hawaii’s Weekend Gas Watch.

The Wailuku gas price was 7 cents more than last month and 17 cents more than a year ago, according to the weekly snapshot of gas prices.

Statewide, the average price for unleaded went up 4 cents in a week to $4.02, 11 cents more than last month and nickel less than a year ago.

Honolulu’s average price of $3.92 for a gallon of unleaded gas was up 4 cents, and it was 11 cents more than last month and 9 cents less than a year ago. In Hilo, the average price of $3.97 was 4 cents more than last week, 12 cents more than last month and 11 cents less than a year ago.

Average prices are derived from fleet vehicle credit card transactions at more than 100,000 stations around the country.

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Flags to fly at half-staff in honor of Evans

Flags will fly at half-staff from sunrise to sunset today in honor of former state Rep. Faith Patricia Evans, according to the office of Gov. Neil Abercrombie.

Evans died Jan. 9 in Kailua, Oahu. She was 76.

Abercrombie said she was among “women pioneers.”

Born in Honolulu, Evans served in the state House of Representatives from 1974 to 1980. She was the nation’s first female U.S. marshal, serving in that position for the District of Hawaii for nearly a decade.

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Customers lose power after vehicle crash

An estimated 676 customers in Kaanapali lost electricity late Wednesday when a vehicle crashed into a power pole, Maui Electric Co. spokeswoman Kau’i Awai-Dickson said.

The outage happened at 11:30 p.m. Wednesday and most customers had electricity returned by 3:40 a.m. Thursday, she said. The remaining customers did not have power until 9:54 a.m.

Police received a report of the crash at 11:34 p.m. near the intersection of Puukolii Road and Puuhale Street. Officers responding to the scene found a vehicle that had crashed into two utility poles, severing them at the base on Puukolii Road.

A 33-year-old woman was taken to Maui Memorial Medical Center with injuries not considered life threatening, police said.

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Inspections for car seats free Saturday

Free child car seat and booster seat inspections will be done from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday in the parking lot of Maui Marketplace near Sports Authority on Dairy Road in Kahului.

Those interested in having child car seats checked to see whether they’re properly installed should show up with the child, car or booster seat and car. An inspection takes a minimum of 30 minutes for each seat.

The inspections are done on a first-come, first-served basis.

Under state law, child car seats are required for children under age 4. Children from ages 4 to 7 are required to be restrained in either car seats or booster seats while riding in vehicles.

Information about upcoming child car seat inspections is available on Facebook by looking up Maui County Child Passenger Safety at www.facebook.com/mauichildpassengersafety.

County/In Brief

Declaration to let farmers get loans

Maui County and the Big Island have been declared primary natural disaster areas because of recent drought, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Wednesday.

The declaration means that qualified farm operators are eligible for low-interest loans from the USDA’s Farm Service Agency. Farmers have eight months to apply for loans to help cover part of their actual losses.

“Our hearts go out to those Hawaii farmers and ranchers affected by recent natural disasters,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “We’re also telling Hawaii producers that USDA stands with you and your communities when severe weather and natural disasters threaten to disrupt your livelihood.”

The declaration for Maui County includes Kalawao County, or Kalaupapa on Molokai.

*****

DUI roadblocks readied for holiday

Police will set up drunken driving roadblocks this weekend for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday Monday.

The roadblocks will be at unannounced times and locations.

“People are encouraged to drive sober and to drive responsibly,” said Lt. Ricky Uedoi, commander of the police Traffic Section. “If you are going to drink alcoholic beverages, please be wise and use a sober driver. Don’t drive after drinking.”

*****

Didn’t drive sober, got pulled over

Maui police made 42 impaired-driving arrests and issued 185 traffic citations during the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign.

The two-and-a-half week enforcement effort ran from Dec. 13 to Jan. 1.

Police set up 14 drunken driving checkpoints countywide during the period.

The traffic citations issued included 13 for seat-belt violations, three for child seat violations, 25 for driving with a suspended license, 87 for not having auto insurance, 54 for speeding and three for reckless driving.

During the period, officers throughout the department also made 239 felony arrests, 135 arrests on warrants and 57 drug arrests. Police reported recovering 15 stolen vehicles.

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Bail unchanged in threatening case

WAILUKU – Bail remains at $500,000 for a man who was extradited from Washington state to face charges alleging that he threatened a woman.

Larry Dow, 50, of Vancouver has pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree terroristic threatening. He allegedly made the threats through phone contact with the woman on Sept. 7, 2012, according to an indictment.

During a hearing Wednesday, 2nd Circuit Judge Rhonda Loo kept bail at $500,000 for Dow, who has a criminal history on the Mainland.

A March 31 trial is set for Dow.

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Government offices to shut for MLK Day

Federal, state and county offices and public schools will be closed Monday in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday.

Also closed will be the Hana and Lanai landfills and Molokai’s landfill and recycling facilities. Curbside trash collections will not be affected.

The Central Maui Landfill and EKO Compost and Greenwaste will be open from 6 a.m. to noon. Olowalu Recycling will be open from 8 a.m. to noon.

All county pools will be open.

All public libraries will be closed. Also, libraries usually closed on Monday will be closed on Tuesday as well.

Those libraries are Kahului, Kihei and Lahaina.

The Maui News business offices will be open regular hours from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

County/In Brief

Unit sustains $100,00 damage in blaze

Damage was estimated at $100,000 in a fire that burned a third-floor, one-bedroom apartment at Sunset Terrace in Napili on Monday night, a fire official said.

The cause of the fire was undetermined, pending more information, said Fire Services Chief Lee Mainaga. But he said there was no immediate evidence to indicate the fire was intentionally set.

Firefighters from Lahaina, Wailuku and Kahului responded to the fire, which was reported at 6:03 p.m. at the complex at 3626 Lower Honoapiilani Road. Fire crews arrived to find smoke and flames from the third-story unit. The fire was brought under control at 7:18 p.m. and contained to the apartment, which was unoccupied at the time, Mainaga said.

Approximately 50 residents of the complex were evacuated before being let back into their apartments at about 8 p.m., he said. One person living in the apartment that burned refused assistance and will be staying with relatives, Mainaga said.

Fire damage was estimated at $60,000 to the structure and $40,000 to its contents. No injuries were reported.

*****

‘All clear’ given for landfill on Molokai

The Molokai landfill reopened Tuesday after a military team disposed of suspected explosive ordnance earlier in the morning, Maui County announced.

The “all clear” signal was given at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday for the landfill to reopen. The suspected explosive ordnance was found Monday.

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Crews aid man who fainted on Pali trail

A man in his late 50s to early 60s was in stable condition Tuesday morning after fire rescue crews airlifted him to safety after he fainted while hiking on the Lahaina-Pali trail, a fire official said Tuesday afternoon.

Firefighters were dispatched to the scene at 8:14 a.m. Tuesday for the hiker who was in distress after hiking about five minutes up the Lahaina-Pali trail with a group of other hikers, said Fire Services Chief Lee Mainaga.

The man started to feel lightheaded then passed out, he said. His fellow hikers managed to catch him so he didn’t fall on rocks, but the man sustained some scrapes.

The man, Don Holland, visiting from Mississippi, told The Maui News he was hiking with his family and passed out while taking a break on the trail. After being released from the emergency room at Maui Memorial Medical Center he was well enough that he visited the Snow Factory in Wailuku for a cold treat.

Fire crews decided to airlift the man out with the Fire Department’s Air One helicopter because of the rainy weather that made the rocky trail slippery, Mainaga said.

The man was airlifted from the area around 8:45 a.m. to a nearby landing zone where an ambulance crew took him to Maui Memorial Medical Center.

*****

Bail set for woman in Kula assault case

Bail was set at $11,500 for a Pukalani woman charged with entering a Kula residence without permission and assaulting a woman in the home, police said.

Linda Mattos, 54, was charged with first-degree burglary, third-degree assault and fourth-degree criminal property damage.

According to court documents, Mattos went to the house at about 1:15 a.m. Monday and began banging on the front door. The house-sitter woke up and opened the door to see Mattos standing in the doorway.

Mattos entered the home without permission, leading to an altercation between her and the house-sitter, according to court documents. The house-sitter suffered a wound on her left calf and left the residence before calling police.

When police arrived, Mattos was found sleeping in a bedroom and was arrested, police said.

County/In Brief

Maui Jim donates $260K to nonprofits

Sunglasses manufacturer Maui Jim has donated $260,000 to island nonprofits, according to an announcement.

The company gave $150,000 to Hale Makua Health Services, which provides skilled care at nursing homes in Wailuku and Kahului.

Imua Family Services received $50,000 from the company; the Maui Arts & Cultural Center was given $40,000; and $20,000 went to Women Helping Women for its work in assisting and supporting victims of domestic violence.

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Ordnance closes landfill on Molokai

Potentially unexploded ordnance was discovered Monday at the Molokai landfill, leading to the closure of the facility until further notice, Maui County spokesman Rod Antone said.

The Maui Police Department ordered the closure. Police on Molokai were monitoring and securing the facility, Antone said.

Police contacted a military ordnance disposal unit to handle the discovered ordnance, and members of the unit would notify the county when the area is “all clear,” Antone said.

Earlier Monday, the county Department of Environmental Management announced that the Molokai landfill was short-staffed and that certified personnel from Maui were headed to the Friendly Isle to open the facility Thursday.

Now, with the ordnance needing to be cleared, there was no estimate for when the landfill would reopen.

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Waterline work to disrupt Paia service

Paia residents from Kupono Street to Kuau will not have water from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday while Department of Water Supply crews work to transfer service from a 6-inch to a 12-inch waterline, the department announced.

The smaller waterline is old and prone to leaks, officials said. The temporary water shutdown will help the department determine which residents are on the 6-inch line and those on the 12-inch line.

Residents should store water if needed during the outage, and they should flush their waterlines of sediment for a short time after water service is restored, officials said.

The project is part of an overall project to improve Paia’s water system.

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Fire crews rescue two men in W. Maui

Two fishermen were airlifted from the ocean Monday afternoon by Maui Fire Department’s Air 1 helicopter at the Olivine Pools off Kahekili Highway.

Fire crews from Napili and Kahului also responded to the 5:19 p.m. call.

One man was swept into the ocean after being hit by a wave while attempting to untangle his fishing line, according to Fire Services Chief Lee Mainaga. The second man jumped into the ocean to assist his friend.

The two men, both approximately 25 years old, were airlifted to shore. No injures were reported and both refused medical treatment, Mainaga said.

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Crews contain blaze at Napili complex

Firefighters contained a blaze that burned at least one unit Monday evening at the Napili Sunset Terrace, Fire Services Chief Lee Mainaga said.

The apartment complex is at 3626 Lower Honoapiilani Road, he said.

Firefighters from Lahaina, Napili, Wailuku and Kahului responded to the scene.

Other information was not immediately available Monday evening.

County/In Brief

Crash cuts power to Baldwin Ave. clients

A vehicle hit a utility pole before 11 p.m. Friday and triggered a nearly nine-hour power outage for 450 customers on Baldwin Avenue and parts of Paia, Maui Electric Co. spokeswoman Kau’i Awai-Dickson said.

Power was restored before 8 a.m. Saturday, she said.

Work to close one lane of Hana Highway

Roadway work will cause a single-lane closure on Hana Highway this week, according to an announcement from the state Department of Transportation.

The lane closure will affect westbound traffic at Milepost 14 between Wailua Road and Papaaea Road from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. today through Friday.

Motorists are advised to use caution and to allow for extra travel time.

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Kula boy accidentally shoots self in leg

A 12-year-old Kula boy was injured in an accidental shooting on Sunday, police said.

The boy suffered nonlife-threatening injuries to his lower leg after shooting himself with a .22 caliber rifle, according to Lt. William Juan. The incident occurred at around 10:25 a.m.

The boy was treated for his injuries at Maui Memorial Medical Center and released.

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ESPN AM550 changes its frequency

ESPN AM550 has switched radio frequencies to AM900, the Pacific Media Group announced Friday.

The change took effect Dec. 23.

The KMVI sports station, which carries ESPN and local sports programming, switched with KNUI talk radio, which has local Filipino, Japanese and Portuguese shows. KNUI can now be heard on AM550.

Chuck Bergson, president and CEO of the media group, said that the signal strength, personnel, programs, call letters and studios will remain unchanged. He added that the frequency of each station is “more efficient with the given antenna.”

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Free tickets for Elvis impersonator’s show

Free tickets are being offered to Hawaii residents for tonight’s performance of “Burn’n Love” at Maui Theatre in Lahaina.

The show, which features Elvis Presley impersonator Darren Lee, begins at 8 p.m.

Guests must show a valid Hawaii ID for free entry. The offer is not valid on prior ticket purchases, and seating is limited.

For each seat filled, $1 will be donated to the Maui Food Bank.

For more information or to make reservations, call Maui Theatre at 856-7900.

County / In Brief

Comment period for Pu’unani extended

The state Land Use Commission has extended the comment period on the environmental impact statement preparation notice for the more than 600-unit proposed Pu’unani Subdivision below Wailuku Heights.

The preparation notice was filed by developers Towne Development of Hawaii Inc., Endurance Investors LLC and Association of II Wai Hui LP and published in the Office of Environmental Quality Control “The Environmental Notice” on Dec. 8.

The 30-day comment period ended Tuesday, but the commission extended it to Feb. 6.

The extension notice, published in Wednesday’s “The Environmental Notice,” said that the statute “allows an approving agency to extend a public comment period when requested by a consulted party that shows good cause.”

The commission is the approving agency in this case. An incorrect address for the commission was listed in the original publication notice.

Comments may be submitted to Dan Orodenker, executive director, Hawaii Land Use Commission, P.O. Box 2359, Honolulu 96804.

*****

Police ID woman as Chang of Wailea

The woman found dead in her car about 100 feet down a cliff in Kahakuloa on Jan. 4 has been identified, police said.

Jeanie “Kini” Chang, 59, of Wailea was determined to be the woman found in the white 2005 BMW Z4 that was located in a ravine along Kahekili Highway near Mile Marker 10, police said.

Wailuku and Kahului firefighters responded to the scene on the afternoon of Jan. 4, along with the department’s Air One helicopter, which airlifted Chang’s body from the wreckage.

Chang was last seen Dec. 18 at her Wailea residence. Police had sought the public’s assistance in locating her. Police also said that she may have been in need of medical attention and was possibly “suffering from an illness.”

*****

Woman charged in Wal-Mart theft case

A Waiehu woman was charged with theft after she tried to leave Wal-Mart in Kahului without paying for merchandise, police said.

Lorelei Hoopii, 45, was arrested after she was stopped by store loss-prevention officers at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, police said. The merchandise was valued at $383.

Bail was set at $1,000 for Hoopii on a charge of second-degree theft.

She was also held on a contempt-of-court warrant, and her bail was surrendered in another case, according to police records.

*****

Two arrested after trying to pawn iPad

Two Pukalani men were arrested Wednesday after they tried to sell a stolen iPad at a Kahului pawn shop, police said.

Bail was set at $1,000 each for Chad Nishihara, 23, and Vincent Alvarez, 21, on a charge of second-degree theft.

The iPad, valued at $400, was reported stolen Wednesday by a 35-year-old man who had offered Nishihara a ride, police said. After dropping off Nishihara, the man noticed the iPad missing from the front seat of his car.

Police were notified after the manager of the pawn shop noticed that neither Nishihara nor Alvarez appeared as the registered owner of the iPad when it was turned on. Nishihara was released after posting bail, according to police records.

Alvarez remained in custody Friday. He also was being held on three contempt-of-court warrants totaling $1,500.

*****

Maui, Molokai shores to see high surf

A high-surf advisory for east-facing shores of Maui and Molokai has been posted through 6 p.m. today.

The National Weather Service said that a short-period easterly swell arrived overnight and will peak this morning and fall off by late in the day. Surf is expected to be 5 to 8 feet.

The advisory means that high surf will affect beaches, producing rip currents and localized beach erosion.

County / In Brief

Hawaii Sex Offender Search app available

A Hawaii Sex Offender Search mobile application for Android and Apple devices is available for downloading.

The state attorney general’s Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center officially released the app Wednesday. It allows users to search the justice data center’s database for names of registered sex offenders and information on their residences and business addresses.

“This new app will further enhance the public’s ability to access important information concerning the presence of sex offenders in their communities,” said Attorney General David M. Louie.

The free mobile app is available for Apple and Android smartphones and mobile devices through those companies’ app stores.

Users without a mobile device may view an online directory of Hawaii registered sex offenders at sexoffender.ehawaii.gov/sexoffender.

The creation and deployment of the app are a collaborative effort between the justice data center, the state Office of Information Management and Technology, and Hawaii Information Consortium LLC.

***

Downed power lines affect traffic signals

Two power lines in Kahului burned and fell to the ground after coming in contact with a Genie Lift on Thursday afternoon, a Maui Electric Co. spokeswoman said.

The downed lines on Hobron Avenue cut power to about 60 customers and traffic signals in the area at 2:41 p.m., said Kau’i Awai-Dickson of MECO.

Maui Police Department spokesman Lt. William Juan said that the power outage affected a number of traffic lights on Hana Highway from Hobron Avenue to Haleakala Highway. Police officers were stationed at Hana Highway intersections with Kamehameha and Hobron avenues, he said.

Juan said that traffic was light and estimated traffic delays at about 5 minutes. There were no injuries or accidents as a result of the power outage, he said.

After isolating the downed electrical lines, the circuit breaker was closed to restore power to the majority of customers at 2:48 p.m., Awai-Dickson said.

At about 4 p.m., an estimated 27 customers remained without power, she said. Crews continued to work to restore power as quickly and safely as possible.

Power was restored as of 4:30 p.m., she said.

***

Help sought in locating woman’s family

Police have identified a pedestrian who died when she was struck by a pickup truck in Lahaina last month as 51-year-old Roselie Miller of Lahaina.

Police Vehicle Homicide Unit investigators are asking for the public’s help in locating any of her family members.

The crash occurred at 11:45 p.m. Dec. 23 as a 2004 Dodge Ram pickup truck headed south on Honoapiilani Highway near Hinau Street, police said. The truck drifted into the bicycle lane, hitting Miller, who was in the lane while crossing the street, police said.

She died at the scene of the collision.

A 32-year-old Wailuku man was driving the truck.

Police said investigators have been making numerous attempts to contact Miller’s family, but all indications are that she may not have any immediate family members in the United States.

Anyone with information on Miller’s family is asked to call officer Jonathan Kaneshiro of the police Vehicle Homicide Unit at 244-6364.

County / In Brief

Foul play ruled out in death of woman

Police detectives have ruled out foul play in the death of a woman whose body was found in a vehicle at the bottom of a ravine in Kahakuloa on Saturday, police said.

The woman hasn’t been positively identified, and the cause of her death hasn’t been determined, said Lt. William Juan, Maui Police Department spokesman. But he said police have confirmed that the vehicle, a 2005 BMW Z4, is owned by Wailea resident Jean “Kini” Chang, who has been missing since Dec. 18. The 59-year-old was last seen at her residence.

Police and firefighters responded to the report of the vehicle being down a cliff near Milepost 10 on Kahekili Highway at 1:26 p.m. Saturday. The white convertible was about 100 feet down a cliff, according to firefighters.

***

$140,000 damage in Paukukalo fire

A fire Monday at a Paukukalo house caused damages estimated at $140,000, a fire official said.

Although the cause of the fire was officially undetermined, the fire appeared to be accidental, based on current findings, according to police and fire investigators.

Firefighters responded to the 1:44 p.m. alarm at 590 Kailana St., stopping flames on the second floor from spreading to the rest of the house and bringing the fire under control by 1:58 p.m., said Capt. Bram DenHaan, Maui Fire Department spokesman.

The damage was estimated at $120,000 to the structure and $20,000 to its contents, he said.

The fire Monday afternoon followed a fire reported Friday night at the same house. Six family members were displaced by the fire.

***

High-surf advisory lasts until Thursday

A high-surf advisory is in effect from 6 a.m. today to 6 a.m. Thursday, the National Weather Service announced.

Surf will increase to 6 to 8 feet along the east-facing shores of Maui and Molokai today, peak this afternoon and tonight at 8 to 10 feet and diminish Thursday, forecasters said.

Produced by strong, near gale-force winds northeast of the islands, the strong surf is expected to generate dangerous shore breaks, rip currents and beach erosion.

Forecasters also issued a wind advisory for Maui County, in effect until 6 p.m. today.

The advisory means winds of at least 30 mph or gusts of at least 50 mph are expected from north to northeast winds accelerating around and over the Big Island and Maui. Stronger winds are expected over the summit of Haleakala.

For more information, call (866) 944-5025 or go to www.prh.noaa.gov/hnl.

County / In Brief

Pig hunters safe after night in forest

Fire crews rescued one pig hunter and another was found by Piiholo Ranch employees Monday morning after the two were reported missing Sunday night in the Makawao Forest Reserve, a fire official said.

Makawao firefighters and a Kahului rescue crew searched throughout the night after the 7 p.m. Sunday report, said Capt. Bram DenHaan, Maui Fire Department spokesman. He said the search was suspended before resuming at first light Monday.

At 7:30 a.m. Monday, one hunter was spotted by the Fire Department’s Air One helicopter. The hunter was airlifted out of the reserve to a landing zone near a parking lot. He did not require medical attention, DenHaan said.

The second hunter, who had become separated from his partner, found his way to Piiholo Ranch where ranch personnel found him at about 11 a.m. Monday, DenHaan said.

The hunter was in good condition besides being thirsty and tired. No medical attention was needed. After becoming separated from the other hunter, the second hunter decided to hunker down until daylight and then work his way out, he told firefighters.

***

Pukalani, Kula trash routes missed

Some trash collection routes in Pukalani and Kula 200 were missed Monday due to a staffing shortage, the county Solid Waste Division said.

The areas affected include Alalani, Aliiolani, Iholani, Iolani and Piimauna streets; Aulii and Hoopalua drives; Aulii, Ihea and Kiohapai places; Awakea and Hiwalani loops; and Haleakala Highway.

The missed routes are expected to be covered today.

Project may lower water pressure

A tank repair project may cause low water pressure in Kahana, Mahinahina and Honokowai beginning this week, the Department of Water Supply said.

Water department staffers will be working at the Mahinahina Water Treatment Facility from Wednesday to Jan. 16.

Customers are asked to call the 24-hour service line (270-7633) only if a water problem occurs.

***

Big Brothers Big Sisters event today

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Maui will be the beneficiary from 5 to 10 p.m. today at Flatbread Co.

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of pizzas will go toward supporting the program’s one-to-one mentoring program.

For more information, call 242-9754 or go to bigsofmaui.org.

***

Arakawa program to be broadcast

The television program “Your County with Mayor Arakawa” will be shown at 7 p.m. Wednesday on Akaku Channel 54.

Moderated by Communications Director Rod Antone, Arakawa’s guests will be Managing Director Keith Regan and the mayor’s chief of staff, Herman Andaya Jr.

The show will focus on the county’s accomplishments over the past year.

Viewers may call in questions at 873-3430.

The show will be rebroadcast at 7 p.m. Wednesdays from Jan. 15 to 29 on the same channel.

For more information, call Antone at 270-7855.

County / In Brief

Baker, McKelvey to host talk story

State Sen. Roz Baker and state Rep. Angus McKelvey will hold a talk story to preview the 2014 legislative session from 6 to 7:30 p.m. today at the West Maui Senior Center.

“As the 2014 legislative session approaches, we cordially invite our constituents to come together to share their thoughts, concerns and issues with us,” said Baker.

“This is the perfect opportunity for us to reach out to our community and work together for the common goal of making Maui an even better place to live, work and play,” said McKelvey.

The public is invited to attend. Light pupus will be served.

For more information, call Baker’s office at the State Capitol toll-free from Maui at 984-2400, ext. 66070, or McKelvey’s office at 984-2400, ext. 66160. Email may be sent to senbaker@ capitol.hawaii.gov or repmckelvey@capitol.hawaii.gov. Baker chairs the Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee. McKelvey chairs the House Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce.

The Legislature convenes Jan. 15.

The West Maui Senior Center is located at 788 Pauoa St. in Lahaina.

***

Closures announced for county roads

Road repairs this week will bring lane closures in both directions on Haleakala Highway between Kula Highway and Pulehuiki Road, the state Department of Transportation announced.

The lane closures will happen from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. today through Friday.

Also, ongoing repairs to a section of Honoapiilani Highway undermined by ocean erosion in front of Launiupoko Park will continue to shift the lanes mauka between Front Street and Kai Hele Ku Street, the department said.

Speed limits are reduced in the work area, and motorists should expect delays and follow all traffic directions.

***

Man’s body found at storage facility

The body of a homeless man was found Sunday morning in a Wailuku storage facility, according to Maui police.

Officers responded to a call at 11:39 a.m. and found a lifeless 48-year-old Caucasian man, according to Lt. William Juan. A preliminary investigation found no foul play, pending autopsy results.

Police were withholding the man’s name Sunday until family members could be notified.

County / In Brief

Man, 18, has life-threatening injuries following Kihei crash

An 18-year-old Kihei man suffered life-threatening injuries Friday night when the motorcycle he was riding crashed into a vehicle at the intersection of Piilani Highway and Kaonoulu Street in Kihei.

The man was taken to Maui Memorial Medical Center. There was no update on his condition Saturday morning.

Police said the collision happened at 7:15 p.m. Friday when a 2005 silver Chevrolet two-door sedan, driven by a 48-year-old Kihei man, was traveling toward Maalaea on Piilani Highway and approached its intersection with Kaonoulu Street.

The driver began to make a left turn onto Kaonoulu while the motorcyclist was riding south on the highway and collided with the passenger side of the Chevrolet, police said.

Both driver and passenger air bags deployed in the Chevrolet, police said. There was no immediate information on the condition of the vehicle’s driver.

The motorcyclist was wearing a helmet, police said.

It was not immediately determined if speed, drugs or alcohol were factors in the crash. Police were continuing to investigate.

*****

Hundreds of mortgage loan officials did not renew licenses

More than 300 mortgage loan originators and mortgage loan originator companies have failed to renew their licenses and cannot legally process new mortgages, the state commissioner of financial institutions said last week.

Commissioner Iris Ikeda-Catalani warned that consumers should check with their mortgage agent and make sure they renewed their license in time with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs’ Division of Financial Institutions.

A list of those who did not renew in time may be found on the division’s website at cca.hawaii.gov/dfi.

A mortgage processed by a mortgage loan originator or company without renewal is considered an unlicensed activity, a news release said.

The outstanding officers and companies have until Feb. 28 to renew their license to conduct business in Hawaii this year. Instructions on how expired licensees can apply for reinstatement can be found on DCCA’s YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/dccahawaii, or at cca.hawaii.gov/dfi/2014-reinstatement-instructions.

The division licenses more than 1,500 mortgage loan officers and companies in Hawaii annually.

*****

Native Hawaiian council official to speak on Jan. 12

The retired founding president and chief executive officer of the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement will discuss Hawaiian homestead issues at an Upcountry meeting Jan. 12.

Robin Danner, policy chairwoman for the Sovereign Councils of the Hawaiian Homelands Assembly and an Anahola homesteader on Kauai, will lead a listening session at the noon gathering at the Keokea Nursery.

Topics may include a recent audit of the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and the blood quantum required to qualify for Hawaiian homesteads.

The Keokea Hawaiian Farm Lots Association and the Waiohuli Undivided Interest Lessees Association are hosting the free gathering. Attendees are requested to bring their own chairs.

For those interested, a business meeting will begin at 11 a.m., preceding Danner’s talk, and will be followed by a potluck lunch.

For more information, contact Karen Park by phone at 870-3220 or email at keokeapark@aol.com.

County / In Brief

Marine sanctuary’s rescue coordinator to give talk

The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary’s rescue coordinator will be speaking at 2 p.m. Sunday at Whole Foods Market in Kahului.

Ed Lyman’s talk, “Cutting to the Chase: Large Whale Entanglement Response around the main Hawaiian Islands,” is part of a lecture series collaboration between the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries Pacific Islands Region and Whole Foods.

He will draw on his years of experience leading a regional group of partners in efforts to cut whales free from life-threatening entangling gear, often fishing gear they have dragged from Alaska.

The lectures, held on the first Sunday of the month, will cover a wide range of topics from fishpond restoration to local fish farming. Next month, for example, Kimokeo Kapahulehua will present a talk about the Ao’ao O Na Loko I’a O Maui, Maui Fishpond Association, which he leads as president.

*****

High winds cause power outage in Napili

Nearly 1,400 customers in Napili lost power early Friday morning when a cross arm broke from a utility pole during high winds, Maui Electric Co. reported.

Crews rerouted electric service to restore 1,228 customers by 2:55 a.m., and the remaining customers had power back by 10:30 a.m. when repairs were completed, MECO said.

*****

Paukukalo house fire displaces family of six

A house fire in Paukukalo on Friday night left a family of six safe but displaced from their home, fire officials said.

Firefighters responded to a call at about 8:45 p.m. to a home on Kailana Street in Paukukalo, said Maui Fire Department spokesman Capt. Kris Sakamoto.

When the first unit arrived on the scene, Engine 1 from Wailuku, firefighters found the second story of the house 25 percent engulfed in flames, he said.

Engine 10, Rescue 10 and Hazmat 10 from Kahului joined the effort. The fire was extinguished at about 9:30 p.m., said Sakamoto.

The owner arrived home to find the house on fire. He quickly awoke a man sleeping in the home, and they both escaped unharmed, said Sakamoto.

A total of six people were displaced by the fire; they declined assistance from the Red Cross, he said.

Investigators were on the scene Friday evening to determine the cause and to assess the damage, said Sakamoto.

County / In Brief

Maui gasoline price up 1 cent

A gallon of regular unleaded gasoline cost $4.21 in Wailuku this week, according to the AAA Hawaii Weekend Gas Watch.

Wailuku’s average as of Thursday was a penny more than last week, 3 cents more than last month and 20 cents less than a year ago, the weekly snapshot of gas prices said.

The state average for regular unleaded rose 2 cents to $3.94 this week, compared with last week. Its price is a penny more than last month and 5 cents less than a year ago.

Honolulu’s average price climbed 4 cents in a week to $3.84 this week, a penny more than last month and 8 cents less than a year ago. In Hilo, the average gas price slipped 2 cents to $3.90 per gallon this week, 4 cents more than last month and 4 cents less than last year.

AAA Hawaii Weekend Gas Watch prices are derived from fleet vehicle credit card transactions at more than 100,000 stations around the country and are combined averages of the last card swipes of the previous day.

***

Meeting to discuss Mo’omomi on Monday

A public informational meeting will be held on Molokai from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Mitchell Pauole Community Center on a proposal to designate Mo’omomi as a community-subsistence fishing area, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources announced.

The proposal calls for a management plan and proposed fishing rules to protect the island’s subsistence fisheries for future generations.

Proponent Mac Poepoe will explain the plan on behalf of Hui Malama o Mo’omomi.

Public testimony will be encouraged.

***

Work to close part of Kahekili Highway

The second phase of the Kahekili Highway resurfacing project will begin Monday, according to an announcement from the county Department of Public Works’ Highways Division.

The project’s first phase from Kahakuloa Bridge to Milepost 13.4 (Kaukini Gallery) has been completed, the announcement said.

During the project’s second phase, the road will be closed between Wailena Gulch at Nobriga’s corral, Milepost 11, to east of Kaukini Gallery, Milepost 13.4. Traffic from the Wailuku direction will not be allowed to continue to Kahakuloa Village during work hours. Traffic from Lahaina will be allowed up to the gallery but not beyond it.

The work will require closing the road from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.

The road needs to be closed because the paving machine is nearly the full width of the road, which has steep drop-offs and high cliffs.

Work is being done in-house by the Highways Division and has been estimated to cost $500,000.

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