O'ahu briefs
Advertiser Staff and News Services
WINDWARD
Sea snake found on beach
Three boys on Tuesday surrendered a live venomous sea snake that they found on the beach to firefighters at the Ka'a'awa fire station.
The youths said the two-foot-long, yellow-bellied snake was on the shore near Swanzy Beach Park, said Janelle Saneishi, state information officer.
They placed the snake in a dive bag and took it to the nearest fire station. A firefighter called the state Department of Agriculture Plant Quarantine Branch, which sent an inspector to retrieve the animal.
Yellow-bellied sea snakes are black and cream-colored with a flattened paddlelike tail, Saneishi said. They usually inhabit the open Pacific Ocean but will occasionally wash up on shore, especially during storms. Although highly venomous, they have poorly developed biting ability, she said.
People who find a sea snake should not touch it, even if it is on land, Saneishi said. Call the Department of Agriculture's Pest Hotline at 586-7378.
The department commended the boys for their responsible action in turning in the sea snake to authorities, she said.
Reservoir, rock fall on agenda
Makapu'u rock fall and the Waimanalo reservoir will be part of a discussion at a community meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Blanche Pope Elementary School cafeteria.
State Sen. Fred Hemmings and Rep. Joe Gomes will lead the meeting. The director of the state Department of Transportation, Brian Minaai, will discuss the rock fall; roadway safety and other service issues will be addressed as well.
The meeting will also include an open forum for residents to present their community concerns.
Community meeting set
Legislative measures covering escapee problems at Hawai'i State Hospital, government reform and education issues will be discussed at a forum from 7 to 8:30 p.m. tomorrow at 'ühuimanu Elementary School Cafeteria.
The community meeting will be led by state Reps. Charles Djou, R-47 (Kahalu'u-Kane'ohe-He'eia-'ühuimanu) and Colleen Meyers, R-46 (Kahalu'u-La'ie).
They will update the community and answer any questions concerning the Legislature.
CENTRAL
Waipahu plan revisited
The strategic plan to revitalize Waipahu will be discussed during the fifth "Community Conversation" at 6 p.m. April 23 in the Waipahu Intermediate School cafeteria.
U.S. Attorney Steve Alm will give an update on Weed & Seed efforts in Waipahu at the meeting. Plans for the Waipahu Festival Market will also be discussed.
The event is sponsored by the Waipahu Community Association, the Weed & Seed program, the Fil-Com Center, Leeward YMCA, Queen Lili'uokalani Children's Center, Waipahu Intermediate School and the Waipahu Business Association.
Waipahu High School students will serve a light supper at the free event.
For more information, call 677-6939.
LEEWARD
Asphalt firm moves west
Grace Pacific Corp., a major asphalt paving contractor, has moved its corporate headquarters from Halawa Valley to a 6,000-square-foot office space in the Bank of Hawai'i's Hale 'O Kapolei building in Kapolei.
Fourteen employees have been moved to the new site at 949 Kamokila Blvd. and a dozen have moved to the company's quarry site in Makakilo.
"There are many advantages to being in Kapolei, one of which is that we are now closer to our quarry at Makakilo," said Stephen Yoshida, executive vice president of Grace Pacific. "Operating our core business becomes that much easier in our new location."
The company is employee-owned, with 200 workers throughout the state. It had sales of $52 million last year.
Rotary Club topic: Success
Jim Varner of the Dale Carnegie Training program will discuss how successful people get that way at the Kapolei Rotary Club meeting, 7:30 a.m. Thursday in the Kapolei High School faculty/staff lounge.
Admission is $7 and includes a buffet breakfast.
If the teachers strike is still in progress, the meeting will be in the Campbell Estate Building, Laulima Room.
For information, call Keola Lloyd at 674-3167.
