Hawai'i briefs
Advertiser Staff
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
4,800 still lack phone service
Verizon Hawai'i is working to restore telephone service to 4,800 customers statewide, of which 4,300 are on O'ahu, a spokesman said yesterday.
"The rains we have experienced this month had more impact on our equipment than anything in recent memory," said Verizon Hawai'i western region spokesman Bill Kula.
Kula said technicians have restored service to 9,644 customers since Dec. 1. A big part of that effort has been the new trouble calls that keep coming in, he said. Since Wednesday, those calls have decreased to about 200 a day, which is normal.
"We've made considerable progress," Kula said. Technicians on O'ahu have restored more than 3,000 lines since Wednesday.
Kula said technicians will continue to work around the clock in the most affected areas, which include 'Aiea and Pearlridge.
"Most significantly, we have completely restored all the lines out of service in the Pearlridge shopping area," Kula said.
Hakalau refuge wins award
The Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge has won the Natural Areas Association's 2003 Resource Stewardship Award. The Big Island refuge's staff and volunteers "made major contributions to conserving the endemic plants and animals of the island of Hawai'i," the organization said.
The refuge was established in 1985 on the windward slope of Mauna Kea. Its nearly 33,000 acres contain 14 species of native birds, Hawaiian bats, and more than two dozen rare plant species.
HONOLULU
Volunteers for cleanup needed
The state needs volunteers to help clean trails and maintain native Hawaiian plants in a 2-acre forest area in Makiki Valley from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 27.
Aaron Lowe, trails and access specialist for the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, said volunteers are needed the fourth Saturday of every month to help with planting, watering, pulling weeds and moving gravel as part of the O'ahu Na Ala Hele Trails and Access program.
Volunteers should have long pants and a long-sleeved shirt, shoes or boots with good traction, insect repellent and a bag lunch. The state will provide water, gloves and tools.
Meet at the Makiki Forestry Baseyard at 9 a.m. For directions, call 973-9779.
O'AHU'S NORTH SHORE
Open market on North Shore
The first People's Open Market on the North Shore will be Jan. 6 at the Sunset Beach Support Park, 59-104 Kamehameha Highway.
The new site is the 26th in the city program, which began in 1973. The open markets provide low-cost fresh produce and other locally grown products by independent vendors.
The new market will be open from 12:15 to 1 p.m. every Tuesday.
For more information, call 522-7088.
