Thieves of the stream-monitoring equipment at Maui’s Seven Sacred Pools have essentially forced the closure of the famous pools at Oheo.

The batteries and transmitters that are a critical part of the Palikea Stream flood-warning system were stolen last week and, according to the Haleakala National Park’s policy, the stream must be closed to protect visitors whenever the equipment is not working.

It will cost $8,400 to replace, but what is worse is that the closure negatively impacts the experience of the 1,200 daily visitors who drive the winding road to the remote East Maui district of the national park to see the picturesque string of pools.

Naniloa Hotel ready for facelift

After years of fits and starts, let’s hope Tuesday’s restart of renovations on the Hilo Naniloa Hotel finally gets the job done.

The iconic Naniloa, built in 1966 on land leased from the state along Banyan Drive, sits on some prime oceanfront on Hilo Bay. But the hotel has seen some tough economic times, with one former owner going through bankruptcy. At one point, hotel occupancy plunged to 20 to 30 percent.

The $20 million renovation will include rehabbing of all guest rooms, the lounge, waterfront restaurant, poolside bar, fitness center and shops. It will be rebranded the DoubleTree by Hilton Hilo-Naniloa upon target completion in March — just in time for the high-demand season of the annual Merrie Monarch Hula Festival, tentatively slated for March 31-April 2.