Posted on: Saturday, October 26, 2002
Hawai'i briefs
Controlled burn planned at Makua
The Army plans to conduct a controlled burn of portions of Makua Military Reservation next week, subject to favorable weather conditions.
Officials said the burn, Monday through Friday, will reduce the potential for wildfires in the 4,190-acre Wai'anae Coast valley, and make it possible to clear unexploded ordnance and survey archaeological sites as required by a settlement agreement with community group Malama Makua.
If adverse weather conditions prevent the planned burn, the Army will attempt the burn the following week, it said.
Farrington Highway will remain open throughout the controlled burn, but the Army anticipates short-term noise, air and visibility problems in the area.
The Army said it has coordinated with local, state and federal agencies to ensure public safety.
Meetings set on wastewater rules
The state Department of Health will hold a series of public informational meetings to present proposed changes to the state's wastewater rules.
The changes being proposed include prohibiting the construction of new cesspools and requiring fees for the review of plans for new individual wastewater systems.
These changes will affect owners of wastewater treatment plants, engineers, contractors, wastewater and sludge haulers, septic tank manufacturers and suppliers, and those planning to build new homes in areas where public sewers are not available.
Informational meetings will be at the following times and places:
• Honolulu: 9 to 11 a.m. and 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Monday at the Department of Health Environmental Management Division Conference Room.
• Kona: 9 to 11 a.m. and 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, WIC Meeting Room, Kealakekua Business Plaza.
• Hilo: 9 to 11 a.m. and 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Environmental Health Facility.
• Kaunakakai, Moloka'i: 9 to 11 a.m. Friday, DAGS Conference Room, Kaunakakai Civic Center Phase I.
• Lihu'e, Kaua'i: 9 to 11 a.m. and 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Nov. 6, Kaua'i District Health Office
• Kahului, Maui: 9 to 11 a.m. and 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Nov. 13, Maui District Health Office
Written comments or concerns can be sent to the Planning and Design Section, Wastewater Branch, State Department of Health, 919 Ala Moana, Room 309, Honolulu, HI 96814.
For more information, call 586-4294.
Arroyo traffic snarls 'minor'
The traffic snarls caused by the arrival of Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Thursday morning were minor compared with the mess that might have occurred had President Bush been the arriving dignitary, Maj. Robert Prasser, commander of the Honolulu Police Department's Traffic Division, said yesterday.
"We only locked down roads in the direction that the motorcade was traveling," Prasser said. "And we didn't lock down overpasses, which we would have done for the president of the United States.
"We realize the public's inconvenience, but let's face it — we're a major international city. We're going to have visiting foreign dignitaries."
