Hawai'i briefs
Advertiser Staff and News Services
WINDWARD O'AHU
Mesh hanging may slow traffic
The highway at Makapu'u Point will be closed in both directions for 20 minutes at a time tomorrow through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Kalanianaole Highway will be open for the weekend.
The state Department of Transportation will be hanging wire mesh on the cliffs above Makapu'u Beach to make the area safer from falling rocks. But the road will be closed only as needed to lift the mesh by helicopter to the hillside.
The project, to clear loose material from the hillside and hang the mesh, is expected to last two more weeks.
From Dec. 16 to 20, one lane of the highway will be closed from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and cars will take turns moving through the area.
LEEWARD O'AHU
Holiday parade in Kapolei
The community of Kapolei will usher in the holiday season with the 2nd Christmas in Kapolei celebration today.
A parade from Kapolei Shopping Center to Kapolei Hale kicks off the event at 5:30 p.m. It will feature the Kapolei High School marching band and the school's athletes, the Royal Hawaiian Band and the Nanakuli High School ROTC color guard, along with some of the city's lighted vehicles from the Honolulu City Light's Electric Parade.
At 6:30 p.m., the Christmas tree display at Kapolei Hale will be turned on. The trees were purchased and decorated by companies in the area, including Chevron, Hawaiian Electric, Kalaeloa Partners, Ko Olina Resort and The Estate of James Campbell.
Winners of the Christmas Coloring Contest among students from various elementary schools will be displayed at the Kapolei City Hall.
Santa will be at Kapolei Hale from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
The trees can be viewed from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday at Kapolei Hale through Jan. 2, 2003.
For more information, call Pam Witty-Oakland at 781-3444.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
National Guard to train on Maui
WAILUKU, Maui — A terrorism response exercise will take place at various locations on Maui this week.
The public is being advised to expect to see National Guard equipment, vehicles and personnel in protective suits during the four-day exercise.
The drill is being conducted by the 93rd Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team, which comprises 22 active and reserve members from the Hawai'i Army and Air National Guards. The team supports civil authorities responding to terrorist attack by providing rapid assessment and initial detection of chemical or biological agents, according to a news release from Maui Civil Defense.
The exercise will take place tomorrow in Kihei, Tuesday in Makawao, and Wednesday and Thursday in Kahului.
Other participants include Maui Memorial Medical Center, Maui Fire Control Department, the American Red Cross, and county and state Civil Defense.
