O'ahu briefs
Advertiser Staff and News Services
LEEWARD
Probe sought in soil dumping plans
A state legislator wants the state and federal governments to look into plans to dump 2,250 tons of contaminated soil from the former 'Aiea Sugar Mill at the Waimanalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill in Leeward O'ahu.
Sen. Colleen Hanabusa, D-21st (Kalaeloa, Makaha) has requested a formal investigation by the state Department of Health as to whether the transport and intended use of the contaminated soil meet environmental standards. She also wants the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to look into the case.
Hanabusa said plans call for lead-contaminated soil to be used as ground cover for the landfill, which is near Kahe Point.
Health Director Bruce Anderson said the department made no ruling on the dumping of contaminated soil into the landfill.
However, he said the landfill is one of only two places on the island where the soil could be legally dumped.
Anderson said the soil needs to be removed because there are plans to build a daycare center on the old mill property.
WINDWARD
Le Jardin opens high school
Le Jardin Academy will hold opening ceremonies at 10 a.m. tomorrow for its newly completed temporary high school facility, the Harold K.L. Castle Building.
The ceremonies also will kick off the first day of school for the 50 freshmen of the class of 2006, the school's first high school students.
The school is at 917 Kalaniana'ole Highway, Kailua.
HONOLULU
Center hosts pizza event
The Hawai'i Children's Discovery Center will host a "family pizza night" today.
The center, in the Kaka'ako Waterfront Park, will be open for special hours from 10 a.m to 7 p.m. today, and pizza will be served from 5 to 7 p.m. Admission is $6.75 for children ages 2 to 17 and $8 for adults.
The Children's Discovery Center is a private, nonprofit museum that includes exhibits for children. For information, call 524-5437.
Lane closures begin tomorrow
O'ahu motorists are being advised of lane closures on the Pali, Kamehameha and Kalaniana'ole highways beginning tomorrow.
The Kailua-bound right lane of Pali Highway from the emergency truck ramp to just beyond Castle Junction will be closed from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. through Friday to allow workers to install new telephone duct lines. The state also will close the left-turn lane from Kamehameha Highway to Kalaniana'ole Highway in Kailua during this same period.
In East Honolulu, one kokohead-bound lane of Kalaniana'ole Highway will be closed between 'Ainakoa Avenue and West Hind Drive from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. tomorrow through Friday for resurfacing work.
Motorists are advised to anticipate delays in the construction areas or take alternate routes.
Regional plan hearings set
Public hearings to review the city Department of Planning and Permitting's draft Primary Urban Center Development Plan will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Moanalua Middle School and Thursday at McCoy Pavilion at Ala Moana Beach Park.
The focus of the meetings will be to present the planning framework for communities from Pearl City to Kahala through the year 2025 using concepts developed during community workshops last year.
The plan will be used as a guide to zoning, land use and public investment in central Honolulu that is consistent with the city's General Plan.
The development plan's vision for Honolulu includes protecting and enhancing the natural, cultural and scenic resources; creating livable neighborhoods with business districts, parks, plazas and walkable streets; offering in-town housing choices for people of all ages and incomes; recognizing that Honolulu is the leading city and travel destination in the Pacific; and building a balanced transportation system.
The Primary Urban Center Development Plan is one of eight regional plans on O'ahu mandated by the City Charter.
