The state Department of Transportation is extending the hours of the new shoulder lane on the H-1 freeway from the Aiea Heights Drive overpass to the Waimalu/Pearl City offramp to 3 to 7 p.m. weekdays starting Monday.
The shoulder lane opened in October from 3:30 to 6 p.m. weekdays for single-occupancy vehicles. Buses and trucks are prohibited from using the lane.
DOT officials said in February they would extend the hours by the end of March.
Park bathroom vandalized
Clothing stuffed down a toilet forced the city to shut down the heavily used Kuhio Beach Park women’s restroom, next to the Waikiki police substation, Wednesday.
It reopened Thursday, but the damage cost taxpayers about $2,500 because the Department of Parks and Recreation had to hire Alaka‘i Mechanical Corp. to remove the clothing and restore service, city spokesman Andrew Perreira said.
The same bathroom has been vandalized repeatedly in recent years, he said.
A number of city park restrooms have been vandalized since the start of the year, including Fern Community Park in Kalihi, Kaiaka Bay Beach Park in Haleiwa, Keehi Lagoon Beach Park in Kalihi and Ala Moana Regional Park in Kakaako.
Man indicted for harassing pregnant seal
A Kauai grand jury Wednesday indicted a 19-year-old Eleele man on a charge he harassed a pregnant Hawaiian monk seal at Salt Pond Beach.
Shylo K. Akuna is scheduled to be arraigned in Kauai Circuit Court on May 24 on the harassment charge, as well as disorderly conduct and a violation of county park rules.
A video posted on social media showed a man harassing a 17-year-old monk seal identified as RK30 on April 26.
Several witnesses identified Akuna as the man in the video. He was arrested two days later.
Akuna posted $20,000 bail Thursday.
Sometime between May 2 and 3, RK30 gave birth to her seventh pup.
Special event will close Pukalani pool
The Maui County pool in Pukalani will be closed May 21 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for Special Olympics Maui’s Swim & Fin event, the county Aquatics Division said Thursday.
Participants have solicited pledges per lap.
Call 344-8880 or email mauicounty@ sohawaii.org.
Students will take water safety class
The Waimea swimming pool will be closed Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for about 75 students from Eleele Elementary School to take a water safety class, according to a news release from Kauai County officials.
The pool will then open to the public until 4:30 p.m.
Call the Department of Parks and Recreation at 241-4460.
