Hawai'i briefs
Advertiser Staff and News Services
WINDWARD O'AHU
Lights fixed in Pali tunnel
The state Department of Transportation was able to make necessary street lighting connections at the Pali tunnel and complete repair work there two weeks ahead of schedule.
A crew worked through Saturday two weekends ago to string wires from the light poles to a new Hawaiian Electric Co. transformer, said Shelley Paik, DOT information specialist.
Under an agreement with the state, HECO supplied DOT with a new transformer and is responsible for its maintenance. DOT is responsible for the rest of the system, including light bulbs.
The lights outside the tunnels on the Windward side have been operating for more than a week after being out since June.
The lights in the tunnel also are affected by the new transformer, working full strength during the day and at reduced strength at night to avoid sudden glare from the lights when coming out of the dark, Paik said.
EAST HONOLULU
'Aina Haina site a storm shelter
'Aina Haina Elementary School has been selected by the state Civil Defense division as a designated shelter for the community in the event of a hurricane and needs volunteers.
Selected areas of the school would serve as a safe haven for residents to ride out the storm and provide a short-term residence for homeowners whose property has been destroyed or damaged.
Volunteers knowledgeable in the community are needed for training by the American Red Cross on how to manage and operate a shelter; call 377-2419.
HONOLULU
Waikiki board to hold election
The Waikiki Neighborhood Board will elect a new chairperson at its meeting at 7 p.m. today, following the July death of longtime board chairman Sam Bren. If necessary, other officers will also be elected.
The board meets in the Waikiki Community Center on Paoakalani Avenue.
The board will also try to fill five vacancies and hear a presentation by Barbara Kim-Stanton, executive director of the city's Waikiki Development Office, updating various city projects in the area.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Kaua'i may ban diner smoking
LIHUE, Kaua'i — Kaua'i could become the next island to ban smoking in restaurants.
A proposal to institute a smoking ban is scheduled to be heard before the council's Finance and Intergovernmental Relations Committee tomorrow.
Recommendations from a recent public hearing will be considered before the council writes a bill, said Councilman Jimmy Tokioka, who introduced the proposal.
At a council-sponsored public hearing recently, 30 people spoke in favor of amending a county bill that controls smoking in restaurants.
