O'ahu briefs
Advertiser Staff
HONOLULU
Satellite hall closed again
Fumes from an unidentified source forced the closure of the Ala Moana Center satellite city hall again yesterday after several employees reported respiratory and eye irritation.
Ala Moana management and city officials were looking for the source of the fumes, which were first noticed Monday. Meanwhile, employees have been moved to other satellite offices. City officials did not know when the office and the City Store in the same location will reopen.
During the closure, the public can conduct city business at the Fort Street, Kalihi and Pearlridge satellites. Residents can call 523-2489 today to check if the Ala Moana location has reopened.
Parking garage to open today
The new public parking garage under the city's Smith-Beretania park project will open at 6 a.m. today, providing 114 stalls for downtown Honolulu and will bring the total number of city stalls in the area to 2,134.
Parking hours will be 6 a.m. through midnight daily and will cost 50 cents per half-hour. Diamond Parking will manage the facility. Vehicles must enter the garage from Beretania Street and exit from Pauahi Street.
The garage was expected to open last month but was delayed until security cameras could be installed and management secured.
CENTRAL
Wastewater spills into lake
Because of a malfunction during a routine equipment test yesterday morning, nearly 20,000 gallons of partially treated waste was discharged from the Wahiawa Wastewater Treatment Plant into Lake Wilson, according to a statement issued by the city's Public Information Division.
The incident happened at 9:27 a.m. and was brought under control in 12 minutes. According to the city's press release, the wastewater had undergone several stages of treatment but not the final ultraviolet disinfection treatment.
The accident is under investigation, and warning signs have been posted in affected areas of Lake Wilson.
WINDWARD
Kailua residents seek slowdown
Residents on Awakea Road in Kailua want people to stop speeding in their neighborhood, which is a popular cut-through for motorists going to Kailua Beach Park, Kalaheo Avenue and Lanikai.
Neighbors will host a speed-reduction rally from 4:15 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. tomorrow at Awakea Road and Triangle Park as part of a program to let drivers know enforcement will be stepped up. A potluck will follow.
Tahiti festival this weekend
Windward Mall will host the 3rd Annual Te Vai Ura Nui Tahitian Festival this weekend that includes dance and drum competition with groups from Tahiti, Hawai'i and the Mainland.
The event will feature displays of unique fashions, jewelry and musical instruments. The two-day festival is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in the mall's center court.
Correction: Parking at the new Smith-Beretania municipal lot is 50 cents per half-hour. An incorrect rate was listed in an earlier version of this story.
