High-advisory on for Maui, Molokai
WAILUKU - A high-surf advisory has been extended for east-facing shores of Maui and Molokai through 6 p.m. today, according to the National Weather Service.
The advisory means beachgoers are warned to expect bigger-than-usual surf, rip currents and beach erosion in some areas.
Article Photos
Kyla-Marie Figueira
Help sought in locating her
Forecasters said strong trade winds have generated surf expected to reach 6 to 8 feet through tonight.
For more information, call (866) 944-5025 or go online to www.prh.noaa.gov/hnl.
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Rock-crushing facility OK'd by panel
WAILUKU - The Maui Planning Commission advanced to the Maui County Council this week land-use measures to establish the long-term use of South Maui land for the Kihei Rock Crushing Facility.
On Tuesday, the panel recommended that the council approve a community plan amendment from agriculture to heavy industrial, a land-use district boundary amendment from agricultural to urban and a change in zoning from agricultural to heavy industrial. The commission has authority to approve a county special use permit and did so for the rock crushing facility, with the caveat that it would get other land-use approvals.
The facility operated by Pacific Rim Land Inc. is near the county's Kihei Wastewater Reclamation Facility. The rock-crushing plant is on 14.5 acres mauka of Piilani Highway.
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Miami visitor falls off horse, is rescued
HANA - A visitor from Miami was flown to Maui Memorial Medical Center after he fell off a horse Thursday at Maui Stables in Hana, a fire official said.
Hana firefighters responded to the 1:20 p.m. alarm. The 28-year-old man was about three-fourths of a mile above the Kipahulu ranger station at Haleakala National Park when he fell, said Fire Services Chief Lee Mainaga.
Firefighters were on scene at 1:45 p.m. and had the patient transported by 2:20 p.m., he said. He suffered nonlife-threatening injuries.
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Family seeks help in finding girl, 14
WAILUKU - Family members are asking for the public's help in locating a 14-year-old Makawao girl who ran away from home this week.
Kyla-Marie Figueira is described as 5 feet tall and weighing 120 pounds, with a heart-shaped birthmark on her right ankle and a tattoo that says "ENVY" on her right shoulder.
The Baldwin High School student was seen at home at about 10:30 p.m. Monday and was gone the next morning. She was reportedly seen in Lahaina on Wednesday.
Anyone who sees the girl is asked to call police at 244-6400.
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Guided hike on Waihee Ridge Trail set
KAHULUI - In celebration of National Trails Day, the Department of Land and Natural Resources' Na Ala Hele Trails and Access Program and the West Maui Mountains Watershed Partnership are offering a guided hike on the Waihee Ridge Trail on June 2.
The high-elevation trail is about five miles long and is considered an intermediate-to-difficult-level hike. Na Ala Hele staff will lead the hiking group 2 miles up the ridge trail and back down the same way. The trail can be slippery when wet, so shoes with good soles are required. Walking sticks or hiking poles are also recommended.
Reservations are required because space is limited. For more information or to reserve a spot, call Torrie Nohara at (808) 873-3508.
The June 2 National Trails Day is meant to increase awareness of America's trail systems while acknowledging supporters and volunteers.
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Kahului Airport runway to close again
KAHULUI - Kahului Airport's main runway will be shut down for maintenance from 11:30 tonight to 5 a.m. Saturday and the same hours Saturday night and Sunday, according to the state Department of Transportation.
More air traffic over Wailuku, Kahului and Spreckelsville can be expected because of the temporary runway closure.
The work is part of a $1.14 million project to rewire runway lights and taxiway circuits. The taxiway lights will be changed to energy-efficient lights.
The project is expected to be completed in June.
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Memorial Day Monday; offices closed
Federal, state and county offices will be closed Monday in observance of the Memorial Day holiday.
The Maui News business offices also will be closed.
All public libraries will be closed Saturday through Monday. The Makawao Library will be open today. It is usually closed but will accommodate patrons because of the long holiday weekend.
The Hana, Lanai and Molokai landfills also will be closed Monday, as will all county pools.
The Central Maui Landfill and EKO Compost will be open from 6 a.m. to noon. The Olowalu landfill will be open from 8 a.m. to noon.
Residential trash pickup will not be affected.
