DRIVE TO RAISE MONEY FOR TROOPS' IRAQ LUAU
KAHULUI - The Kiwanis Club of Kahului and Central Pacific Bank are helping raise money and collect items for a luau to be held by troops in Iraq observing Hawaii's 50th anniversary of statehood.
The Aug. 21 event is being organized by troops from the Maui-based 292nd Combat Communications Squadron, which is part of the 506th Air Expeditionary Group at Kirkuk Regional Air Base.
Organizers expect 1,000 people to attend and enjoy Hawaiian food and music while wearing aloha shirts and lei. Performances of hula, haka and Tahitian dance also are planned.
Donations of nonperishable food items, door prizes and money can be dropped off Monday through Friday at Central Pacific Bank in Kahului. For more information, call Tiffany Iida at 276-5444.
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MAUI WATER PROJECTS TO GET $752,000
Maui projects would receive $752,000 under the Energy and Water Appropriations Bill passed by the U.S. Senate on Wednesday, Sen. Daniel Inouye announced.
The bill would bring $34.1 million in federal funding to Hawaii for renewable-energy and water projects. The measure has gone to a conference committee to resolve differences in U.S. House and Senate versions of the bill.
Maui projects proposed for funding include:
* Iao Stream flood control, $250,000.
* Maalaea Harbor, engineering and design for a project to realign the entrance channel and extend the break water, $202,000.
* Waiohuli flood study, $200,000.
* West Maui watershed, a study to identify projects to reduce flood damage, restore stream and marine ecosystems, and protect the shoreline, $100,000.
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INJURED WOMAN AIRLIFTED FROM HIKING AREA
HONOKOHAU- A 55-year-old woman was airlifted from an area near Nakalele blowhole after she was injured while hiking Wednesday, a fire official said.
Napili firefighters and a rescue crew aboard the Air One helicopter responded to the 11:42 a.m. call, arriving in the area at noon, said acting Battalion Chief Allen Duarte. He said the visitor had suffered a broken ankle and injured her shoulder.
The terrain in the area made it difficult for the injured woman to walk out, Duarte said.
Firefighters hiked down to the area and stabilized the woman's ankle before she was airlifted to Honoapiilani Highway, where medics were waiting. The rescue was completed by 1:38 p.m., and the woman was taken to Maui Memorial Medical Center.
