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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Guard copter to drop turkey in East Maui

By Christie Wilson
Advertiser Maui Bureau

WAILUKU, Maui — A Hawai'i Army National Guard helicopter is expected to deliver 240 pounds of turkey today to residents of Kipahulu, who are having difficulty getting in and out of their remote East Maui community because of unsafe road conditions caused by the Oct. 15 earthquakes.

A CH-47 Chinook helicopter also will drop off 120 pounds of carrots, onions and potatoes, 250 pounds of rice, 50 gallons of water and four 55-gallon containers of fuel, according to county officials. The items will be distributed at the Kipahulu Community Kitchen.

Tomorrow, state labor and health officials, along with county fire and police personnel, will meet with Kaupo residents to discuss financial assistance, trash disposal and communications.

The county posted road-closed signs to keep traffic off Pi'ilani Highway leading to Kaupo and Kipahulu because of the risk of falling boulders loosened by the earthquakes. The Paihi Bridge between Kipahulu and Hana also was closed because of damage, although some residents have been walking across the bridge and driving on Pi'ilani Highway despite danger warnings.

A temporary bridge is scheduled to open Dec. 1.

Reach Christie Wilson at cwilson@honoluluadvertiser.com.