Hawai'i briefs
Advertiser Staff
Motorcycle crash kills Michigan man
A 59-year-old Michigan man was killed Thursday when the motorcycle he was riding collided head-on with a delivery vehicle in 'Opihihale, South Kona.
The victim was identified as Michael Earl Danko of Macomb, Mich.
Police were called at 1:50 p.m. when Danko's rented motorcycle, a 2002 Harley-Davidson, headed north on Hawai'i Belt Road, crossed the center line near the 95-mile marker. It collided with a southbound delivery vehicle driven by a Hilo man, 36.
Airports to share $3.43 million
Hawai'i state airports will receive $3.43 million from the federal government to help pay for increased security in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attack.
The money is part of more than $176 million the U.S. Department of Transportation approved Monday for the nation's 317 airports. It is to be used for law enforcement, airport surveillance and improved worker identification.
The biggest chunk of Hawai'i's money, more than $2 million, will go to Honolulu International Airport, according to a priority system developed by the federal agency. The rest of the money will go toward security for airports at Kahului, Lihu'e, Kailua/Kona, Hilo, Kaunakakai and Lana'i.
Nationwide, the biggest awards were $7 million for Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport, $6.1 million for Chicago O'Hare International Airport and $5.8 million for Los Angeles International Airport.
Hanauma closure put off to April 16
The city has altered the two-week closure period for major construction work at Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve. The original plan had called for closing the park beginning April 10. The starting date has been moved to April 16.
The preserve is expected to open again on May 1. City managing director Ben Lee said the closing date was extended six days to accommodate a request by the contractor for more time to finish work on the preserve's lower level.
The city also announced that the park, normally closed on Tuesdays, will be open for residents and visitors March 26 in honor of Kuhio Day. For information, call 396-4229.
West Maui coast clear of danger
KA'ANAPALI, Maui — The beaches along a two-mile stretch of West Maui coastline were reopened yesterday morning after officials found no trace of a whale calf carcass or any of the sharks that devoured it Thursday.
Officials used a helicopter and some navigational equipment to pinpoint the last known location of the whale, about 700 yards offshore, but they couldn't find anything, said Mike Markrich of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.
The beaches were opened at 10 a.m. and shark-warning signs were removed, Markrich said.
Tourists and others at the Ka'anapali resort watched from shore as the abandoned newborn calf, about 10 to 12 feet long, was attacked by sharks.
