HAWAI'I BRIEFS
Civilian dies after vehicle crashes
Advertiser Staff
A civilian Navy employee died after a one-vehicle crash at Pearl Harbor Naval Station yesterday, a Navy spokeswoman said.
The man, an employee of Navy Region Hawai'i, hit a light pole on Central Avenue about 9:50 a.m., Lt. Barbara Mertz said.
He was taken to Kapi'olani Medical Center at Pali Momi, where he was pronounced dead.
NAVY MOPPING UP SPILLED DIESEL FUEL
The Navy yesterday said 25,000 gallons of diesel fuel and water had been collected from a spill Tuesday in the vicinity of the guided missile cruiser USS Port Royal in Pearl Harbor.
The ship was pierside and the spill was discovered within the "boomed" area, a series of interlocking floats put in place as part of standard operating procedure to contain inadvertent fuel spills.
Recovery of the fuel and water was continuing yesterday. Primary and secondary booms kept the spill in a 20-by-40-foot area, the Navy said. The service said there is no evidence of harm to marine life.
An investigation is under way to determine the cause of the spill. Notification of the spill has been made to the proper federal and state agencies, the Navy said.
KAIMUKI
GAS LINE WORK WILL CAUSE DETOUR
The Gas Co. will do repair work on its underground pipeline from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. today in Kaimuki. The company will close Harding Avenue in both directions between 11th and 12th avenues while the work is done. Police will direct traffic to alternative routes.
LEEWARD
YMCA GETS STATE FACILITY MONEY
The YMCA of Honolulu will receive $500,000 in state money for the second phase of expansion of the Leeward YMCA facility at the Waipahu Sugar Mill.
In 2001, the YMCA began infrastructure improvements, renovating the plantation-era offices and the historic sugar mill smokestack. The second phase will include the conversion of the mill's old generator building into a fitness center, construction of a new wing for administrative offices and locker rooms, as well as a six-lane swimming pool.
The expansion will turn the Leeward YMCA into a "full service" branch and allow it to also serve at-risk youth. Construction is expected to be completed in January 2007.
KAUA'I
COUNTY ENDS RECYCLING DEAL
LIHU'E —The county has terminated its contract with Island Recycling, which has been handling recycling services at the Kaua'i Resource Center on Ahukini Road. That location will not be available for recycling after Jan. 15.
The county plans to seek a new vendor for the site. In the meantime, recycling materials can be dropped at Kaua'i Recycles bins at the Hanalei Transfer Station, Kojima Store parking lot in Kapa'a, Kmart parking lot in Lihu'e, Brennecke's parking lot in Po'ipu, Lawa'i Post Office parking lot, 'Ele'ele Shopping Center parking lot, Waimea Canyon Park and the Kekaha Landfill.
For more information, call 241-6891.
MAUI
MISUSE OF FLARES CAN LEAD TO ARREST
An incident on Maui on Tuesday has prompted the Coast Guard to remind the public that using emergency distress flares for anything other than emergencies is a felony.
A group of people at the Makena Landing were shooting flares over the water about 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, said Petty Officer Michael De Nyse. Officials were about to launch rescue aircraft from Barbers Point and had launched a search boat when Maui County firefighters arrived at the landing and discovered there was no emergency.
Members of the group told firefighters they were disposing of flares because their expiration dates had passed, De Nyse said.
The Coast Guard responds to numerous false alarms each year. It costs $400 an hour to operate a standard rescue boat and $1,500 to $3,000 an hour for a helicopter or Coast Guard cutter, De Nyse said. No one in the group was arrested.
MILILANI
RECYCLING DRIVE BENEFITS STUDENTS
A group of Mililani High School students and parents will hold a HI -5 recycling drive from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday in the school parking across from the Mililani Public Library on Meheula Parkway.
The group is accepting donations of redeemable cans, and glass and plastic bottles, to raise money for a trip to Europe during spring break.
