Hawai'i briefs

Advertiser Staff

HONOLULU

Fort Shafter fire under control

A two-acre brush fire at Fort Shafter yesterday created a lot of smoke, but caused no damage or injuries. The Federal Fire Department and HFD responded to the fire about 1:15 p.m. off 7th Street. It was under control by 2:45.

WINDWARD

Police on duty at Ha'iku Stairs

Police will be on duty at Ha'iku Stairs, preventing people from climbing it from 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday. The city is waiting for temporary warning signs for the stairs, and until they are in place the ladder will be closed. No date has been set for the opening.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Maui nurses reach agreement

KAHULUI, Maui — Hale Makua and the union representing 31 registered nurses who work for the long-term health care facility in Kahului reached a tentative agreement on a new three-year contract with the help of a federal mediator.

The tentative pact continues nearly all of the present agreement's provisions but increases wages by 16 percent over three years, according to the Hawai'i Nurses Association. A ratification vote will probably take place next week, said Claudine Tomasa, the union's chief negotiator.

Kahikinui fire contained

WAILUKU, Maui — County fire officials said that despite some occasional flareups, a fire in the remote Kahikinui area yesterday was largely contained. Officials estimated that flames had blackened a large part of a 5,500-acre area, but the Kahikinui State Forest Reserve above the 4,000-foot level remained largely untouched.