HAWAI'I BRIEFS
DLNR releases reef calendars
Advertiser Staff
The state Department of Land and Natural Resources has released its 2006 calendar featuring photographs of Hawaiian reefs and ocean life called "Papa Ko'a — The Reef and Hawaiian Culture."
The calendar, which sells for $10, was produced with the Hawai'i Heritage Center in conjunction with the "Hawai'i's Living Reef" awareness campaign.
"The reef acted as the foundation of Hawaiian life in ancient times, and continues to be an important part of our modern lifestyle," said Peter Young, DLNR chairman. "If the reef is to remain a viable ecosystem, it must be respected and nurtured. Today it needs our care."
The photographs show the reef from the air, at sea level and beneath the waves. Also featured are reef fish, monk seals, limu, turtles and seabirds.
The calendar includes information on the value of the reef in traditional Hawaiian culture along with biological information about reef life, a tide chart, and boating and ocean recreation safety tips.
Calendars can be purchased at the State Parks office at 1151 Punchbowl St., Room 310.
MILILANI
NO ARRESTS IN BURGLARY SPREE
Police have made no arrests in the ongoing investigation into 100 burglaries in Mililani.
Police Detective Randall Borges, the lead investigator in the Mililani burglaries, said there have been no new cases this week. "We can't attribute it to anything but think it may have something to do with more people being at home on vacation for the holidays," he said.
Borges also reported that police have investigated numerous calls of "suspicious activity" over the past week. Borges encourages people to continue reporting such activity to 911.
The Mililani burglary spree started about seven weeks ago with thieves targeting small, easy-to-carry items such as cash and jewelry. The burglaries are occurring in the older section of Mililani where homes have windows with glass louvers. Thieves hit more than 50 different locations.
BIG ISLAND
FRENCH HIKER FOUND AT HOTEL
HILO — Big Island police said a Frenchman who was reported missing has turned up safe after a hiking trip. Alain Pierre De Toffoli was last seen Dec. 23. He was found yesterday at a hotel on Banyan Drive in Hilo.
MAUI
GIRL SCOUTS CHEERFUL, GIVING
WAILUKU, Maui — Girl Scout Cadette Troop 905 brought holiday cheer to pediatric patients at Maui Memorial Medical Center with gifts of handmade bookmarks and an assortment of books.
Members of the South Maui troop are working toward their Silver Award, the highest honor Cadettes can earn for their age level. The middle-schoolers are planning a Literacy Camp for elementary school students at Camp Pi'iholo. They have completed other projects, including working at the Maui County Fair's Lost Keiki Booth, feeding the homeless at Hale Kau Kau at St. Theresa's Church, and bell-ringing for the Salvation Army.
NEW LOCATIONS FOR RECYCLING
KAHULUI — The county's recycling drop-box site in front of Kahului Park at the intersection of Hina and Lono avenues has been closed, with new sites set up behind Maui Community College and at the new Central Maui Landfill Recycling and Refuse Center.
The MCC drop box on Wahine Pio Road is available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. The site's HI-5 redemption service is open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.
The Central Maui Landfill Recycling and Refuse Center on Pulehu Road is open from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
UPGRADES SET AT CARE FACILITY
WAILUKU — Hale Makua has received $1 million in state funds for renovations and improvements to its Wailuku care facility.
The money will be used to upgrade bathrooms and replace flooring and furniture in 33 resident rooms to comply with accessibility standards, and to get a new roof.
Hale Makua, established in 1946, is a private nonprofit organization that is Maui's largest long-term-care provider. It has a total of 362 beds at its Wailuku and Kahului facilities. Approximately 85 percent of Hale Makua residents are Medicaid or public welfare recipients.
ROAD RESURFACING JOB AWARDED
NAPILI — Resurfacing of Lower Honoapi'ilani Road from Napilihau Road to Kapalua began this week. Rimrock Paving Co. was awarded a $353,670 contract for the job, which is expected to be completed in March.
