By local and wire sources Palani Road closure continues ADVERTISING The mauka-bound lanes of Palani Road from Queen Kaahumanu Highway to Henry Street will remain closed this week. Because of the closure, motorists cannot make a right or left turn
Palani Road closure continues
The mauka-bound lanes of Palani Road from Queen Kaahumanu Highway to Henry Street will remain closed this week.
Because of the closure, motorists cannot make a right or left turn from Queen Kaahumanu Highway onto Palani Road, according to the Hawaii County Department of Public Works. The closure will remain in effect through this month.
Motorists looking to head mauka on Palani Road must use Henry Street, according to the department. There are also no left turns permitted from Henry Street onto Palani Road.
Waimea blaze causes $140K in damage
Fire officials are investigating the cause of a Friday evening structure fire in Waimea.
Responding to an 8:26 p.m. alarm, firefighters determined the blaze started on the Kipahele Street home’s back lanai before burning a storage shed and the rear corner of the home, according to the Hawaii Fire Department. A bathroom, bedroom and the attic were also damaged.
No one was home at the time, according to the department.
Damage was estimated around $140,000, according to the department.
Expect traffic delays near Makalei
Alternating lane closures in both directions are planned this week on Mamalahoa Highway between mile marker 27 and mile marker 31, in the vicinity of Makalei, for guardrail installation and pavement striping work, according to the state Department of Transportation.
Crews will be working from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday unless otherwise noted. Road work is weather permitting.
Legislators endorse transplant center funding
HONOLULU — State lawmakers approved a $1.5 million emergency appropriation for a kidney and liver transplant facility in Hawaii.
The Senate and House approved the funding bill Friday, voting unanimously to match funds with the Queen’s Medical Center for a $3 million organ transplant facility, as well as give $300,000 to the National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii.
Hawaii hasn’t had a Medicare and Medicaid services-certified organ transplant facility since Hawaii Medical Centers closed its two Oahu hospitals in December, which motivated lawmakers to move quickly.
The hospital closures mean 400 Hawaii patients on national kidney and liver transplant waiting lists have to get on waiting lists at mainland hospitals.
Abercrombie recommended the Legislature immediately pass the bill at the start of session and is expected to sign the bill into law.
HECO plan would allow more renewable energy
HONOLULU — Hawaiian Electric Co. is starting a program that will help it add more solar, wind and other renewable energy to the grid while also save business customers some money.
The utility said Thursday it will award credits to commercial and industrial customers who allow some of their air conditions, pool heaters and other nonessential equipment to be turned off during periods of high power demand or low supplies of renewable energy.
A business willing to turn off equipment normally requiring 50 kilowatts of power could receive a credit of $3,000 per year. They would receive more money if power for their equipment is actually turned off.
The program will help Hawaiian Electric reliably deliver electricity to customers while at the same time reduce its use of fossil fuels.
Tourism industry will discuss pocketbook issues
HONOLULU — The House Tourism committee is holding an informational briefing Monday on the tourism industry’s major pocketbook issues.
Representatives from the Hawaii Tourism Authority, the Waikiki Improvement Association and the hotel industry are scheduled to appear.
The topics will include hotel room taxes and the new comped room taxed law, the Hawaii Tourism Authority’s marketing funding and history and the growth of general funding from the Transient Accommodations Tax.
The discussion at the briefing will be used to guide decision making on tourism issues throughout the 2012 legislative session.
By local and wire sources
