Hawai'i briefs

Advertiser Staff

Sewage spills on Waipahu park

A clogged 10-inch sewer line caused a sewage spill of about 2,260 gallons yesterday at the Waipahu Cultural Garden Park, site of this weekend's city Waipahu Sunset in the Park event.

The spill, at 94-695 Waipahu St. behind the Hawai'i Plantation Village's administration building, was reported at 11:30 a.m. and was stopped at 12:40 p.m. It resulted from a blockage caused by grease accumulating in the sewer line.

The line was cleared and city crews are disinfecting the area. The raw sewage did not reach any nearby streams.

State health officials have been notified of the incident. City officials say it should not affect this weekend's Sunset in the Park activities.

Lahaina marks tree's 129th year

LAHAINA, Maui — Lahaina town will celebrate the 129th birthday of its historic banyan tree during festivities this weekend.

The tree was only 8 feet tall when it was planted in 1873 by the sheriff of Maui, William O. Smith, at a service marking the 50th anniversary of the founding of Lahaina's first Christian mission. Now the tree has a dozen major trunks besides its huge core of central trunks, and its foliage covers two-thirds of an acre at the park adjacent to Lahaina Harbor.

The birthday event will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and tomorrow at Banyan Tree Park, with an exhibit of historical photos, craft booths and entertainment. Craft activities for keiki will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day.

The banyan tree birthday celebration is coordinated by the LahainaTown Action Committee with support from the Maui Visitors Bureau. For more information, call (808) 667-9175.