Neighbor Island briefs

Advertiser Staff and News Services

Kaua'i fined for battery disposal

LIHU'E, Kaua'i — The state health department has fined the county Department of Public Works $31,600 after finding that county workers buried old batteries near the Hanapepe Refuse Transfer Station.

The batteries, which contain lead and acid and are considered hazardous waste, were buried for about a week, then uncovered and sent off for proper reclamation, the Health Department said in a news release.

If a battery had cracked, the contents could have leaked pollutants, it said.

Lava access in Puna cut back

HILO, Hawai'i — Big Island officials today will reduce viewing hours near the Kilauea Volcano eruption in Puna because of declining interest and reduced surface activity in the area.

The mayor's office said that hours, presently noon to 8:15 p.m., will change to 2 to 6:30 p.m. A spokeswoman said the change will reduce the cost of collecting fees from visitors using the road constructed last year to improve accessibility and safety in the area near the destroyed Kalapana Village. Cars are charged $5 a visit and tourist vans $20.

The county also has begun a lava hotline — (808) 961-8093 — for details about the changing area.

Scientists said the eruption itself remains unabated at the Pu'u 'O'o vent, but lava has ceased descending along the Pulama pali. The lava entry into the ocean at Kamoamoa Point went dark on Tuesday.