All were signs of life returning to normal in the wake of last week's Kona storm with its torrential rains and strong winds, The Maui News reported.

Although the state Department of Health approved removing warning signs near Napili pump station No. 2, where there had been a sewage spill, signs remained in place at the Westin Maui Resort & Spa and Mahana in Kaanapali, county officials reported.

The testing of ocean water for bacteriological contamination continued on a daily basis, they said.

Meanwhile, three county beach parks were still closed Thursday. Public access was not permitted at Kamaole Beach Park II and Kamaole Point in Kihei and at Baldwin Beach Park in Paia. Baldwin is expected to reopen Saturday.

A Hawaiian Telcom spokesman said major telephone repairs had been completed as of Thursday on Maui, but pockets of static on phone lines remained.

Ron Mizutani said large cables in Wailuku and Kihei were fixed, and most phone service was back on line. However, scattered static problems continued islandwide, particularly in Central Maui and Upcountry.

He said the entire repair process following the storm that inundated the state last week will take some time because technicians are visiting individual customers to resolve problems.

"Progress has continued to be made," Mizutani said. "We're chipping away at individual cases.

"Additional (Hawaiian Telcom) crews from Kauai and the Big Island will remain on Maui until all repairs have been completed; so we appreciate everyone's patience," he said.

The county Solid Waste Division also asked residents to put away trash bins after garbage has been collected curbside. Bins that have been left outside can become a safety hazard on roadways.