Dam hearings on 4 isles

The state will hold public hearings this month about proposed rules for dams and reservoirs. The proposed regulations are designed to provide guidance on the construction of new dams and the alteration or removal of existing dams.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources has scheduled hearings in Lihue on Oct. 12, Honolulu on Oct. 13, Kahului on Oct. 14 and Waimea on the Big Island on Oct. 15.

ABA urges passage of Akaka Bill

U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka says the American Bar Association has sent a letter to every U.S. senator urging support of the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act.

The Hawaii Democrat said Friday in a Washington news release that the letter sent last week outlines the bill’s constitutionality and its precedent within U.S. law.

He said it also details benefits of the U.S. providing parity to native Hawaiians as indigenous people.

Akaka, the bill’s sponsor, said the letter will help correct mischaracterizations and bring attention to the importance of the bill.

Akaka said he remains optimistic the Senate will be able to consider the bill this year.

Hawaiians are the last indigenous people in the U.S. who haven’t been granted federal recognition.

Djou drops out of public radio debate

Republican U.S. Rep. Charles Djou has pulled out of a live Hawaii Public Radio debate this week with his Democratic opponent, state Sen. Colleen Hanabusa.

Djou’s campaign withdrew without giving the radio station a reason, prompting cancellation of the program, Hawaii Public Radio news director Kayla Rosenfeld announced in a news release. However, Djou, who returned from Washington, D.C., on Thursday, said the cancellation was due to a scheduling conflict.

The debate, originally scheduled for Friday, would have been the first live debate between the two candidates since each won party primary elections last month.

They are still scheduled to appear at three debates or forums in the next two weeks. Additional appearances are being scheduled.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Bypass road for Lahaina in new phase

State officials and representatives of Goodfellow Bros. last week officially launched the second segment of the Lahaina bypass road, a project that in 2012 could finally bring traffic relief sought by West Maui residents.

The Maui News reported that the $24 million project, planned for three decades, will begin in Puamana and include construction of a two-lane road 1.7 miles mauka to Lahainaluna Road, where work on the first phase of the bypass began in December 2008. Eighty percent of the work is funded by the Federal Highways Administration.

State Rep. Angus McKelvey (D, Olowalu-Kapalua) said the plan is to have both highway segments completed about the same time in 2012. Motorists then will be able to drive from Puamana to Lahainaluna Road and continue to the Keawe Street extension.

With the two segments completed, the new road will allow motorists to avoid congestion in Lahaina town, McKelvey said, and it will be "critically important" for traffic relief and safety if there are motor vehicle accidents or fires in the area.

With three public schools located off Lahainaluna Road and dense housing subdivisions nearby, McKelvey said he has worried about evacuations if there was a major wildfire in the area.

State Sen. Roz Baker (D, Honokohau-Makena) said she was pleased to see the next phase begin.

"It’s a great day to see the blessing and to see local people get back to work on a project that’s much needed in our community," she said.

State Sen. J. Kalani English (D, East Maui-Lanai-Molokai), chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee, said the project is expected to bring 40 direct construction jobs, and, by an economic multiplier effect, 160 or more jobs overall.