Residents from Kapahulu to Hawai'i Kai last night were asked to limit water use after a water main break in Kapahulu yesterday afternoon. The conservation call is expected to extend into today while crews complete repairs, a Board of Water Supply spokesman said.

The agency said a contractor working on its Diamond Head booster station on Kapahulu Avenue punctured a 24-inch-diameter main about 2:30 p.m.

The booster station was shut down. Residents from Kapahulu to Hawai'i Kai were told they may notice a drop in water pressure while crews repair the main.

Residents are urged to limit water consumption to essential needs.

"Luckily the reservoirs were full," board spokesman Devon Nekoba said. "People will have water. It's just a matter of them conserving."

AIRPORT

RUNWAY REPAIR MAY MEAN NOISE

The state Department of Transportation is shutting down the reef runway at Honolulu International Airport from 12:30 a.m. today through Friday for maintenance work.

The closure will lead to a rerouting of outgoing flights, resulting in increased air traffic over Downtown Honolulu and Sand Island and could result in increased aircraft noise in those areas.

CURB RAMP WORK CAUTION ADVISED

Curb ramp improvements are under way on Lipoa Street at the South Kihei Road intersection, and on Lahainaluna Road at the Kelawea Street, Paunau Street and Kahula Place intersections.

The county awarded a $167,380 contract to Site Engineering for the work, which is expected to be completed by Feb. 5. The job includes demolition of existing curb ramps and portions of sidewalks, construction of new curb ramps and pavement installation.

The Department of Public Works and Environmental Management is reminding motorists to use caution and obey traffic-control signs and flag people when driving through the work zones.

ONE-WAY TRAFFIC MAY BE INSTITUTED

Motorists are being advised that alternating one-way traffic may be in effect from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. during a four-month-long road project in West Maui that started this week.

Maui Paving LLC was awarded an $840,354 contract for the work, which includes resurfacing, reconstruction of curb ramps and utility adjustments. The job is expected to be completed by April 4.

The affected roadways are Lower Honoapi'ilani Highway from Ho'ohui Road to Puamana Place and a segment close to Hale Malia Place; segments of A'a Place and 'Ainakea Place, between Aipuni Street and Kaniau Road; Hinau Street, Limahana Place and a portion of Wili Ko Place; Dickenson and Shaw streets from Mill Street to Honoapi'ilani Highway; and Hauola Place and Puamana Place.

WORKSHOP SLATED ON WATER QUALITY

The Pacific Whale Foundation's Making Waves Lecture Series will present a free workshop on Maui water quality from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the organization's Discovery Center at The Harbor Shops at Ma'alaea.

The "Got Water Quality?" event, co-sponsored by Maui Tomorrow, will be led by water quality specialist Robin Knox, president of Water Quality Consulting Inc. The discussion will cover drinking water safety and stream and nearshore water quality.

For more information, visit www.pacificwhale.org, e-mail brooke@pacificwhale.org or call (808) 249-8811.

SPOTTERS SOUGHT FOR WHALE COUNT

The Hawaiian Island Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary is seeking volunteers to assist with the 2007 Ocean Count, which will begin later this month.

Volunteers are needed to help count humpback whales and record their behaviors from more than 65 sites onshore on O'ahu, Kaua'i and the Big Island on Jan. 27, Feb. 24 and March 31.

To register, call 397-2651, ext. 253, for Oahu; (888) 55-WHALE, ext. 253, for the Big Island; and 246-2860 for Kaua'i.

The collected data help to develop a database of information on humpback whale populations and distribution patterns around the Hawaiian Islands while also educating the community about humpback whales. As many as 10,000 humpback whales are in Hawaiian waters every year from November through May.

For additional information, visit the sanctuary program's Web site at www.hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov.

HIRONO NAMED TO 2 HOUSE PANELS

Hawai'i Rep. Mazie Hirono yesterday was appointed to two House committees, Education and Labor, and Transportation and Infrastructure, a news release said.

The Education and Labor Committee oversees federal programs and initiatives dealing with education at all levels. Hirono said she requested the assignment to help shape federal policy on issues ranging from early learning through secondary education and from job training through retirement.

"Education should be the great equalizer for children," Hirono said.