Guidebook available on charging stations
The state has released a guidebook for commercial properties interested in installing a charging station for electronic vehicles.
The Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism's State Energy Office prepared the manual, titled "Hawaii EV Ready Guidebook for Commercial Electric Vehicle Charging Station Installations." It's free and available online at electronicvehicle.hawaii.gov and www.pluginamerica.org/hawaii_ev_ready_guidebook.
The guidebook is part of Gov. Neil Abercrombie's New Day initiative to further promote renewable energy use and meet state clean-energy goals, said DBEDT Director Richard Lim in a news release.
Stations often employ individual-use or membership fees for the opportunity to power up electric cars at the machines.
The guidebook helps property owners get on their way to installing a station. Encouraging emission-free EVs is part of the state's mandate to utilize 70 percent clean energy by 2030.
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Second look offered for service eligibility
The state Health Department is seeking people who were denied eligibility for state mental health services between July 1, 2009, and Dec. 16, 2010, because they are eligible for a reassessment of services as part of a recently settled class-action lawsuit.
Those who qualify are urged to contact the DOH Adult Mental Health Division on Oahu by calling, toll free, (800) 753-6879, according to a news release.
The division recently sent out 280 notification letters to those identified in the suit.
The Hawai'i Disability Rights Center and Alston Hunt Floyd & Ing filed the suit in June 2010.
Those who were part of the lawsuit can call the disability rights center at (808) 949-2922 or the law firm at (808) 524-1800 for more information. Details about the case are available at www.hawaiidisabilityrights.org.
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Crews carry injured 78-year-old to safety
Firefighters hiked into Iao Valley to carry out a 78-year-old man who was injured when he slid about 15 feet down an embankment, ending up near the stream Monday morning, a fire official said.
Kahului engine and rescue crews responded to the 11:11 a.m. alarm, with rescue firefighters hiking 10 minutes into the trail to reach the man, said Fire Services Chief Lee Mainaga. He said firefighters stabilized the man, who suffered nonlife-threatening injuries to his head and hip.
Firefighters secured the man on a backboard and carried him out. Medics took the man to Maui Memorial Medical Center.
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Male snorkeler, 44, found unresponsive
A male snorkeler who was found unresponsive in the water at Hoolawa Bay in Haiku was airlifted Monday afternoon to paramedics on nearby Honopou Road where he was pronounced dead, officials said.
Paia firefighters, a rescue unit from the Kahului Fire Station and the Maui Fire Department's Air One helicopter responded to the 2:14 p.m. alarm, said Fire Services Chief Lee Mainaga.
Police were investigating the man's death, he said.
A Makawao medic unit also responded to the scene, said Ryan Joslin, spokesman for the Maui County Paramedics Association.
The 44-year-old snorkeler was brought to shore by a female snorkeler, he said.
Resuscitation was not attempted because the man had been submerged for a while, and it was obvious resuscitation would be unsuccessful, Joslin said.
