Hawai'i briefs
Advertiser Staff
CENTRAL
Waipahu fire began in closet
A fire that caused an estimated $6,000 in damage to a single-family Waipahu home yesterday started in the closet, fire officials said.
Five fire companies responded to the 1:25 p.m. alarm at 94-233 Paiwa St. and had the fire under control several minutes later, said Honolulu Fire Department spokesman Capt. Richard Soo.
The fire burned the closet and bedroom, Soo said. No injuries were reported. The cause was being investigated.
HONOLULU
Kalaniana'ole lanes closing
The state will close two town-bound lanes of Kalaniana'ole Highway near Kalani High School tomorrow to measure the smoothness of the repaved roadway.
The lane closure will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. from 'Ainakoa Avenue to Analii Street.
One kokohead-bound lane will be used as a contraflow lane. Left turns from Kalaniana'ole Highway will not be allowed, but U-turns will be allowed at Kilauea Avenue and Analii Street.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Heroin seized on Big Island
KAILUA, Hawai'i — Big Island vice officers yesterday arrested three people and seized black-tar heroin worth as much as $89,000 from a Kailua residence.
The suspects, two men, ages 43 and 46, and a woman, 40, were arrested at 6:42 a.m. for promotion of a dangerous drug, but had not been charged. They were being held yesterday.
During a search of the home in the Sunset Subdivision, police discovered 357.2 grams of black-tar heroin with an estimated street value of $71,000 to $89,000, said Det. Ernest Saldua. Vice officers also seized more than $3,100 in cash and a variety of drug paraphernalia, including a digital scale.
Saldua said the home was equipped with an alarm system and surveillance camera.
Maui mayor signs budget
WAILUKU, Maui — Mayor James "Kimo" Apana announced yesterday that he signed into law the budget ordinances for fiscal year 2002-03, but has refused to sign a bill increasing the county's vehicle weight tax.
The tax will go into effect Jan. 1, even without the mayor's signature, and is expected to raise an additional $2 million annually in county revenue.
In a letter to the Maui County Council, Apana said the tax increase wasn't needed and would "unduly burden our working families.''
"So many of our businesses and residents are just getting back on their feet following the effects of the Sept. 11 disaster and the timing is inopportune," he said.
During the budget process, Apana expressed disappointment with some of the cuts the council made to his proposed budget and threatened to veto the document. But yesterday he said he would not because the council approved the budget by an 8-0 vote, and would easily override a veto.
The $268.8 million budget goes into effect July 1.
