Health screenings at Makaha

Free blood pressure, eye and glucose tests are being offered at Makaha Beach today during the 25th Annual Rell Sunn Menehune Surf Contest. The health screenings are being provided by the Rell Sunn Education Fund and the University of Hawaii’s John A. Burns School of Medicine. People without health insurance often wait until the last minute before seeking medical treatment, and organizers say the screenings will help head off health problems.

Mysterious beach barrel sequestered

Honolulu firefighters blocked off a blue, 55-gallon barrel containing an unknown type of liquid that had washed up on the beach in front of Puhui Street and Kamehameha Highway near Sacred Falls Park just before noon yesterday.

Honolulu fire Capt. Earle Kealoha said the barrel’s label and initial tests show it possibly contained hydrochloric acid, a corrosive liquid used for the production of fertilizers and dye, as well as photographic, textile and rubber purposes.

It could not immediately be determined whether any of the fluid leaked into the water. The container had barnacles, and firefighters at the scene said it appeared the barrel had been "floating for a while."

The U.S. Coast Guard instructed a private contractor to remove the barrel, Kealoha said.

NEIGHBOR ISLAND

3 named to Maui Cabinet

Maui Mayor-elect Alan Arakawa has been steadily filling top jobs in his incoming administration.

He named Teena Rasmussen as his economic development coordinator on Tuesday.

The co-owner of Paradise Flower Farms Inc. will plan, organize, promote and coordinate economic development strategies, programs and related activities in cooperation with public and private entities.

Arakawa also has tapped Sandy Baz as his budget director and Keith Regan as his managing director. Baz is chief executive officer of Maui Economic Opportunity Inc., and Regan was Arakawa’s managing director when Arakawa served as mayor from 2003 through late 2006.