Advertiser Staff
WINDWARD
Bill may limit use of Kailua, Waimanalo bays
The increased demand for recreational and commercial uses of Kailua and Waimanalo bays has prompted a bill that would initiate a master plan for the two areas.
Senate Bill 519 would create a task force to develop a comprehensive use master plan, said state Sen. Fred Hemmings, R-25th (Kailua-Waimanalo), who introduced the measure.
"The increased demand especially by the travel industry on residential neighborhoods is getting worrisome," Hemmings said, adding that commercial kayakers and kite surfers are having an impact on Lanikai and Kailua beaches.
He said he would like to see activities clearly mapped out, and said that would limit conflict. But he does support restrictions of commercial use of the two bays.
"We have to restrict excessive commercial use of our beaches," Hemmings said. "Local people can hardly go to Hanauma Bay anymore, and I’d hate to see that happen to Lanikai and Kailua."
The bill has a $200,000 appropriation and is now before the Ways & Means committee.
GOP legislators plan meetings
Republican legislators will hold town meetings in the next week to hear community concerns.
 Today: 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Lanikai Elementary School cafeteria. Attending will be Sen. Fred Hemmings and Rep. Joe Gomes.
Thursday: 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Keolu Elementary School cafeteria. Attending will be Hemmings, Gomes, Sen. Bob Hogue and Rep. David Pendleton.
Monday: 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Waimanalo School library. Attending will be Hemmings and Gomes.
LEEWARD
Arson rejected as cause of tire fire
After reviewing security tapes at Unitek Environmental Systems in Campbell Industrial Park, fire investigators have determined that a Sunday tire fire there was started by spontaneous combustion, not arson, as had been suspected.
The fire caused about $250,000 damage to tire-shredding equipment at Unitek’s recycling plant at 91-125 Kaomi Loop. The same equipment caught fire two weeks before, according to fire Capt. Richard Soo, raising suspicions about possible arson.
Soo said videotapes of the site made before the fire call show smoke coming from a pile of shredded tires, but no suspicious people were visible.
The blaze was reported at 9:25 a.m., initially as a brush fire, and was under control at 9:42 a.m.
EAST HONOLULU
Sewage bills on Neighborhood Board agenda
The Hawaii American Water Co. will make a presentation to the Hawai‘i Kai Neighborhood Board at 7 p.m. today at Haha‘ione Elementary School, 595 Pepe‘ekeo St.
The board later will ask the company, which provides the area with sewer service, to bill customers based on usage not by flat rate, which is the way bills currently are configured.
Also up for discussion is the board’s position on the state Department of Transportation Kalaniana‘ole Highway project.
NORTH SHORE
Three surfers saved at Laniakea
Lifeguards rescued three novice surfers yesterday from strong currents at Laniakea.
The surfers were brought ashore after being picked up on a jet watercraft by Mark Dombroski and Abe Lerner, said lifeguard Capt. Bodo Van Der Leeden.
The surfers were spotted by roving lifeguard Vitor Marcal, who guided the rescue from shore.
Waves yesterday were 8 to 10 feet high with occasional 12-foot sets. They were to remain high today.
Water main projects to be discussed
The Honolulu Board of Water Supply will give an update on two water main projects on the North Shore at tonight’s monthly meeting of the North Shore Neighborhood Board.
Both projects are on Kamehameha Highway, the first north of Sunset Beach at Waiale‘e, the second south of Waimea Bay in Kawailoa.
Residents are concerned about the duration of the second project, which is scheduled to take more than two years to reach Sunset Beach. It is causing traffic delays on the highway, the North Shore's main thoroughfare. Requests have been made to speed up the project.
The board meets at 7 p.m. in the John Kalili Surf Center at Hale‘iwa’s Ali‘i Beach Park.
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