O'ahu briefs

Advertiser Staff

WINDWARD

'Ahuimanu reopens today

'Ahuimanu Elementary in Kane'ohe will reopen today following its closure because of a leak in the school's main water pipes.

Principal Ann Marie Duca said water pressure has been restored to one of the main buildings, but students and staff will have to use the restroom facilites in Building E.

Workers for the Department of Accounting and General Services began work yesterday to find the source of the leak and make repairs.

EAST HONOLULU

Switch blamed in blackout

A faulty switch is blamed for knocking out electricity to about 720 Haha'ione Valley homes Sunday night.

Electricity was restored after 10:30 p.m. Sunday, after a power failure that lasted about four hours and 20 minutes, according to Hawaiian Electric Co.

While working on that power failure, crews inadvertently cut off electricity to more than 1,500 additional homes for about 15 minutes around 8:25 p.m. Sunday, said Fred Kobashikawa, company spokesman.

Homes were affected in Niu Valley, 'Aina Haina and on Kalaniana'ole Highway, said Kobashikawa.

Work to bring copter noise

Residents from Waimanalo to Hawai'i Kai are advised that they can expect noise from helicopters as Hawaiian Electric Co. transports workers and materials to the Ko'olau Mountains between 8:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. today through Thursday.

Crews will be replacing several wood poles in hard-to-reach areas.

CENTRAL

Political boundaries to be reviewed

The state 2001 Reapportionment Commission will hold a regional public hearing at 7 p.m. today at the Waipahu High School cafeteria to discuss state legislative boundaries for the changing Central/Leeward regions.

The commission is scheduled to adopt the final plan Friday and file it with Chief Election Officer Dwayne Yoshina on Dec. 14.

For more information on reapportionment, check the commission's Web site at www.hawaiiredistricting.org