PUUKOLII VILLAGE PROJECT TOPIC OF TAXPAYERS MEETING
LAHAINA - A presentation on the Kaanapali 2020 Puukolii Village project will be made at the annual meeting of the West Maui Taxpayers Association, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the Lahaina Civic Center.
The agenda also includes election of officers, Brian Hoyle, president of Newport Hospital Corp. and a partner in the West Maui hospital project, and recognition of three elected officials - Rep. Angus McKelvey, Mayor Charmaine Tavares and Council Member Jo Anne Johnson.
Meetings of the association are open to the public, but voting and participation is restricted to association members. Registration will begin at 5 p.m.
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KULA FOREST RESERVE ROAD MUDDY BUT OPEN TO PUBLIC
KULA - Access to the Kula Forest Reserve, the Polipoli Springs State Recreational Area and state hunting units in the area was reopened Friday, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources said.
A section of Waipoli Road leading to the forest reserve was closed Jan. 2 because of unsafe conditions created by heavy rains, runoff and erosion of the unpaved roadway. State forestry crews have been able to clear debris and excess mud from the road, but the DLNR said the road is still wet and muddy.
"We thank the Maui community for their patience and understanding that this closure was in the interest of public safety due to the road condition," said Laura Thielen, chairwoman of the land department.
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POLICE SURVEILLANCE LEADS TO 8 DRUG, ALCOHOL ARRESTS
PAIA - In the wake of recent assaults and calls from the public, police juvenile investigators conducted surveillance at Paia Bay this week, arresting eight teenagers for drug and alcohol offenses.
Four youths - three boys and one girl, ages 14, 15 and 17 - were arrested Tuesday after officers determined they had been consuming alcohol or smoking marijuana. Two of the Upcountry residents were charged with third-degree promotion of a detrimental drug after police seized marijuana and a smoking pipe, two were charged with behavior injurious to the welfare of a minor for smoking marijuana and one was charged with underage drinking, police said.
On Wednesday, four boys ages 13 and 14 were arrested after police seized a marijuana smoking pipe. One boy was charged with third-degree promotion of a detrimental drug and the three others were charged with behavior injurious to the welfare of a minor after they admitted to smoking from the pipe, police said.
All of the youths later were released to their parents.
Police reported no arrests when the surveillance continued Thursday and Friday.
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APPEAL ISSUED FOR FAMILY OF DISABLED VETERAN WHO DIED
WAILUKU - The Maui County Medical Examiner's Office is seeking help in locating the family of a disabled veteran who died on Maui on Dec. 16.
According to the office, Stanley W. Collins, 59, was admitted to Maui Memorial Medical Center on Dec. 14 and died two days later. Attempts to locate his family members were unsuccessful.
Collins was unmarried and records indicate he was born in California. He was described as heavy-set with short gray hair. He was using a cane.
Anyone who may have information or can assist in locating his family is asked to contact Burt Freeland, assistant to the medical examiner, at 870-2384.
