Hawai'i briefs
Advertiser Staff
LEEWARD O'AHU
Rescuers find missing hiker
Fire rescue specialists found and assisted a California woman who was reported missing yesterday while on a hike along the Manana trail above Pacific Palisades in Pearl City.
Joy Simmons, 26, was spotted in a streambed by one of two helicopters searching for her yesterday, said Honolulu Fire Department spokesman Capt. Kenison Tejada.
"She was cold but showed no signs of major injuries," Tejada said.
Simmons was taken to Kapi'olani Medical Center at Pali Momi.
Simmons said she became separated from her hiking party when she went downstream from a waterfall to swim and took a wrong turn on her way back.
HONOLULU
Round Top section closed
Recent heavy rains have caused a landslide that closed the 2500-to-2757 block of Round Top Drive last night.
At 6 p.m., the area was shut down to all vehicular traffic in both directions to allow city crews to do repair work. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources owns the land where the slide occurred and will be developing a plan to stabilize the slope.
It was not known when the road would be reopened. Emergency vehicles will be allowed in and out.
Loans may ease flood losses
The state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism will hold a meeting today to acquaint Mapunapuna businesses with disaster loans that could help them deal with damage from Dec. 7 flooding.
Since heavy rains caused Moanalua Stream to top its banks, the city has dredged the drainage canal to increase its runoff capacity.
The meeting will be from 9 to 10 a.m. in the food court of 99 Ranch Market, 1151 Mapunapuna St.
HECO begins work on ridge
Hawaiian Electric Co. contractors will use helicopters beginning at 8 this morning to remove equipment from Wa'ahila Ridge.
Flights will originate from Wiliwili Ridge above Wai'alae Iki.
HECO earlier announced that the work was to have been done last Friday, but the flights were canceled because of bad weather.
WINDWARD O'AHU
Kane'ohe library shut for repairs
The Kane'ohe Public Library is closed until early February for a scheduled renovation project on the 40-year-old building.
Patrons may return books and other borrowed materials to any public library.
People may pick up reserved books from the Kailua Public Library.
A reopening date for the Kane'ohe library is yet to be determined.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Kaua'i police identify victim
KAPA'A, Kaua'i — A 49-year-old woman who died at Wilcox Memorial Hospital after being struck by a vehicle while crossing Kuhio Highway on Monday was identified by police yesterday as Penelope Hardenbergh.
Police said she was struck at 6:58 a.m. Monday north of Hale 'Olio Road junction in the Waipouli area.
Autopsy set for Koke'e body
LIHU'E, Kaua'i — The body of a physician from Kalaheo who was reported missing Sunday was found Monday off Koke'e Road.
An autopsy on Dr. Dean Thomas was scheduled to determine the cause of death.
Grant benefits Hawaiian Homes
The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands has received $2 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the construction of 440 single-family homes in South Kohala on the Big Island.
The money comes from the agency's Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grant Program, the first such block grant appropriated solely for those eligible to live on Hawaiian Homes lands.
It's similar to money that has been available to American Indians and Alaska Natives since 1996, the federal agency said yesterday.
The first phase of construction is set to begin on 34 lots.
