Hawaii, Kauai mayors give Hannemann their blessing

Big Island Mayor Billy Kenoi and Kauai Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. have endorsed former Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann in the Democratic primary for governor, citing his chief executive experience and skill as a collaborator.

County mayors worked together last year during the state’s collective bargaining negotiations with public employee unions and this year to prevent the state Legislature from taking hotel room tax revenue that usually goes to counties. Gov. Linda Lingle and some state lawmakers had wanted to divert the revenue to help with the state’s budget deficit.

"We’ve worked so well together as a team, that’s why we stand here today in the spirit of cooperation and collaboration," Kenoi said at a news conference with Hannemann outside Honolulu City Hall.

"And not only working together as counties, but moving our entire state of Hawaii forward.

"We know Mufi Hannemann, we’ve worked with Mufi Hannemann, and we believe he’s our best choice for governor going forward."

Carvalho said the mayors have developed a strong record of collaboration together. "So it’s about the relationships we continue to build," he said.

Hannemann is running against former U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie in the Democratic primary.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Kauai readies recycling plan

Officials are gearing up for a pilot curbside recycling program in the Puhi-Lihue area of Kauai to start next Thursday.

Household pickups will be made every other Thursday for a six-month period.

During the pilot project, officials will monitor households’ participation and the types and quantities of recyclables collected. Ninety-six-gallon recycling bins have been delivered to about 1,300 homes.

Items that will be accepted include corrugated cardboard, newspaper, mixed paper, aluminum, and plastic and glass food and beverage containers. The program is free.

Some of the items that will not be collected include Styrofoam, shredded paper, light bulbs, steel cans, hard-bound books, flat glass, mirrors, aluminum pet food cans or Spam cans, foil pie plates and milk and juice cartons.

Officials ask that residents not sort or bag items.

Garden Isle Disposal Inc. will sort and track the type of mixed recyclables collected.

For more information about the curbside recycling pilot project, call Solid Waste Program Coordinator Allison Fraley at 241-4841 or go to the county website at www.kauai.gov/curbsiderecycling.

Drivers back in the saddle

Saddle Road was opened yesterday with detours to the old Saddle Road at mile marker 29 and reroutes back near Mauna Kea State Park.

A 1,350-acre wildfire, which has been burning at the Army’s Pohakuloa Training Area since Sunday, closed the road.

The fire was first reported at 9:30 a.m. Sunday and began a quarter-mile east of the Pohakuloa’s main gate.