Newswatch

Malasadas for sale

People can observe Fat Tuesday, the last day of indulgence before Lent, by enjoying malasadas sold today by the Hawaii Council on Portuguese Heritage at Cosmopolitan Travel, 1149 S. Beretania St., beginning at 6 a.m. and by Damien Memorial School in Kalihi beginning at 6:30 a.m. Cost at each location is $5 per half-dozen.

Humpbacks range into northern isles

University of Hawaii researchers using underwater recorders say they have discovered that humpback whales are spending the winter in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands in addition to the main Hawaiian Islands.

Scientists from the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recorded humpback whale songs, which are an indicator of winter breeding activity, in both areas.

They found the whale songs were prevalent throughout the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, and that demonstrated trends similar to those in the main Hawaiian Islands.

The researchers published their study in the current issue of the journal Marine Ecology Progress Series.

NEIGHBOR ISLAND

Pipe fix could be done by month's end

Maui County parks officials said they hope to have a waterline serving Launiupoko Park in West Maui fixed by the end of this month.

The showers and faucets have been without water for three months, and the restrooms have been replaced by portable toilets.

The county officials, who apologized for the inconvenience, said new pipes are being delivered in two to three weeks to replace the broken waterline.

The public park is on the southern edge of Lahaina and is used by residents and visitors.