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President Barack Obama spent another day of vacation golfing on Wednesday, this time in Kapolei where the traveling press corps was allowed to chronicle his final putt on the 18th hole.
After the usual morning at the gym on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, the presidential motorcade headed west to the Kapolei Golf Club, arriving about 11 a.m. for an afternoon round.
Obama wrapped up on the final hole with his golf buddies Bobby Titcomb, Greg Orme and Darrell Harrington at about 4 p.m — tipping his baseball cap upon successfully sinking the ball, according to press reports.
The first family and their friends had dinner Wednesday night at Buzz’s Original Steak House in the Lanikai section of Kailua, according to the White House.
The motorcade arrived at 7:27 p.m.
MAUI
Waihee trail to close for work
Maui’s popular Waihee Ridge Trail will be shut down for two months as the state Department of Land and Natural Resources makes improvements along the 2.5-mile hiking path.
DLNR announced Wednesday that the trail will be closed from Jan. 3 through the end of February to address trail stability and erosion problems and to make improvements to scenic lookouts.
Waihee Ridge, on the windward slope of the West Maui Mountains, is owned by the state under its Na Ala Hele Trails and Access Program. It was created in the 1960s and has grown in popularity with its panoramic views of East Maui and the Waihee Valley.
DLNR said in a news release that work will be done primarily by contractor Trails Unlimited LLC at a cost of $27,000.
“The improvements are intended to update the trail to improve public safety through surface improvements, drainage upgrades, and vegetative management,” the news release said. “Related improvements include storm water mitigation upgrades to the trail, and the construction of two new observation platforms (summit and valley overlook), benches and picnic tables, which are intended to enhance the existing trail system experience and bring the trail up to current trail improvement design standards.”
For more information, contact Torrie Nohara, Na Ala Hele, Trails and Access Specialist, 984-8100.
Twin arraigned in SUV plunge
WAILUKU >> A woman charged with killing her twin sister by driving their SUV off a cliff has pleaded not guilty to murder.
Alexandria Duval, 38, entered the not guilty plea Monday in a Maui courtroom.
Authorities say Duval was driving a Ford Explorer on May 29 with her sister, Anastasia, in the passenger seat when the SUV crashed into a rock wall and plunged about 200 feet.
Anastasia Duval was killed and Alexandria Duval was injured.
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