THIS WEEK'S NEWS BRIEFS FROM ACROSS HAWAI‘I

Wreck Kills Four On Big Island

KONA, Big Island– A small car collided with a tractor-trailer killing four people and injuring one early Saturday morning in North Kona on the Big Island and closing Route 190 to traffic for hours.
The driver and three passengers in the 1992 Honda four-door were pronounced dead on arrival at Kona Community Hospital.
The male driver, and a 42-year-old female passenger remain unidentified. The two passengers that have been identified are Jaime Villamil Cortes, 30 and Nabor Rosas Hernandez, 33.
The driver of the tractor-trailer rig Kyle Fujimoto, 50, was treated for minor injuries at Kona Community Hospital then released.
Alcohol is believed to be a factor in the fatal accident.
A negligent homicide investigation is underway and autopsies have been ordered.

19 New Firefighters Graduate on Maui

Nineteen fire recruits were honored at a graduation ceremony held August 12 at the Maui Beach Hotel, Department of Fire & Public Safety Chief Carl Kaupalolo announced Monday.
"On behalf of the entire department, I would like to congratulate the 23rd Firefighter recruit class for their commitment and perseverance to meet the department's rigorous 18-week training program," said Chief Kaupalolo. "We salute our new firefighters and their families, we thank them in advance for their dedication to the safety of the people of Maui County, and we welcome them to a proud tradition of service."
Graduating recruits are Shane Adolpho; Richard Apana; Isaiah Bicoy; George Dagan; Gavin Fujioka; Peter Gand; Kaunoa Hong; Noa Horner; Modesto Jacinto Jr.; Davin Lum; Michael McDonald; Mike Mullalley; Timothy O'Connor; Wade Orikasa; Jeffrey Robson; Deborah Schulman; Gregory Shinyama; Meghan Soukup and William Tackaberry.
Also in attendance at the graduation ceremony were Managing Director Keith Regan; Councilmembers JoAnne Johnson, Dain Kane, Danny Mateo and Charmaine Tavares; Maui Police Chief Tom Phillips and Deputy Police Chief Kekuhaupio Akana.

Graduating firefighters. (From bottom first row l-r) Davin Lum; George Dagan; Modesto Jacintho Jr.; Shane Adolpho; Kaunoa Hong; Mike Mullalley; Richard Apana; and Wade Orikasa. Second row (l-r): Gavin Fujioka; Isaiah Bicoy; Noa Horner; Jeffrey Robson; Deborah Schulman; Peter Gand; Michael McDonald; Timothy O'Connor; Meghan Soukup; Gregory Shinyama. Top row: William Tackaberry.

Two More Seal Pups Expected at Po‘ipu

PO'IPU, Kaua'i– Two pregnant Hawaiian monk seals have been reported near the Hyatt Regency in Po'ipu in the same area that another seal pup was born a couple of weeks ago.
According to state wildlife officials, the pup began swimming this week. The beach has been roped off in areas where the mother and pup have been frolicking to protect visitors from the protective mother seal, and trained volunteers keep a 24-hour watch on mother-and-pup pairs to protect them from stray dogs and other threats.
Hawaiian monk seals are on the endangered species list and are found only in Hawai‘i.

Big Changes Proposed For Ahihi-Kinau

WAILUKU, Maui– A draft management plan has been proposed for the culturally sensitive Ahihi-Kinau Area Reserve in South Maui. If the proposal is accepted, it could mean restricted access to certain areas of the reserve during the day, a $10 parking fee, and nighttime closure.
The highly popular snorkeling spot known as the “Aquarium” would be closed for general public use. Swimming and snorkeling at the picturesque cove would be exclusively for reserve staff, and those with permits or who have signed up for a guided hike.
A $10 fee for non-resident hikers is included in the proposal.
Areas of the reserve would be completely off-limits except by permission from reserve staff. The proposed restricted sections include everything mauka of Makena Road and the lands that lie on either side of the trail to another popular snorkeling spot called “Fishbowl.”
Under the draft, a paved parking lot would be created at Maonakala (also called “Dumps”) and a $10 parking fee would be collected. Those with proof of residency are exempted from the parking charge.
There would also be an information booth and three portable toilets.
Under the draft management plan, the entire reserve would be closed from a half hour after sunset to half hour before sunrise.

Water Main Break In Kahului Spills Wastewater

A wastewater spill of unknown quantity was discovered at approximately 11:30 a.m. on Monday, September 12, coming out of the ground in a saw cut between old and new pavement located north of the intersection of Alamaha Street and Kamehameha Avenue. The source of the spill was a broken eight-inch force main.
The spill was immediately contained by sandbags and water was diverted back into the sewer system. Some untreated wastewater reached a storm drain, however, it is believed that most of the spillage was blocked and pumped out. The Department of Public Works Wastewater Reclamation Division reported that crews worked until about 11:30 p.m. Monday night repairing an A&B force main break which occurred in the Maui Mall parking lot.
The cause appears to have been pipe corrosion. The Highways Division brought in a 4,000 gallon tanker truck that assisted three private hauler trucks in bypassing the pump station until repairs were completed. An eight foot section of pipe was cut out and new pipe installed.
DPWEM has posted signs and taken samples of the water at the outlet ditch near Wharf Street in Lahaina and will continue sampling the water in the area for fecal coliform, Enterococci and Clostridium levels for the next several days. The Department of Health has been notified.

The Maui Examiner

Bringing You The News Behind The News in Maui County

THIS WEEK'S NEWS BRIEFS FROM ACROSS HAWAI‘I