Library AC fix expected by Monday

The air-conditioning system at the Hawaii State Library should be back in operation on by Monday after nearly two weeks of emergency repairs to get it running again.

With the system down, temperatures in the library have been uncomfortable: in the 80s most places and up to 86 degrees in the downtown building’s basement.

Librarians have thrown open windows, brought in industrial fans and turned on dehumidifiers, and have been told to keep strenuous activity to a minimum.

The library is keeping regular hours.

Keith Fujio, acting special assistant to the state librarian, said the air conditioning went out Nov. 24.

Emergency repairs will cost about $5,000.

A permanent fix will come in the new year — when two chilling towers installed in the 1990s are replaced.

Fujio said librarians are monitoring collections for mold and other damage. So far, none has been found.

Pipe breaks, flooding part of Waikiki

A water main break closed Kuhio Avenue yesterday in the Ewa-bound direction from Olohana Street to Kalakaua Avenue, slowing traffic in Waikiki.

The break occurred at about 1:50 p.m. yesterday at Namahana Street and Kuhio Avenue, police said.

Tracy Burgo, Honolulu Board of Water Supply spokeswoman, said an 8-inch main broke, flooding the area. Kuhio Avenue was closed in both directions while crews worked to shut off the main, she said.

Police said they were reopening a Diamond Head-bound lane at about 5:20 p.m.

Burgo said it is not yet known how many customers were affected, whether any private property was damaged or how long the repairs would take.

FBI hiring linguists

The FBI’s Honolulu office is hosting a Foreign Language Career Fair from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at Honolulu Community College, Building No. 2, second floor, 874 Dillingham Blvd. The FBI hires full- or part-time contract linguists with starting pay of $27 to $41 per hour. People can also apply at www.fbijobs.gov/linguists.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Religion, jobs figure in views on telescope

HILO » Public opinion was split at a hearing attended by about 100 people on a proposal to build the world’s largest telescope at Mauna Kea’s summit.

Proponents and opponents appeared evenly divided among the nearly 40 people who spoke Thursday at the Department of Land and Natural Resources meeting on the Thirty Meter Telescope.

The state held the meeting to hear public opinion before its board considers a permit application from the telescope’s managers to use conservation land.

Telescope backers point to high-paying jobs and educational enhancements as benefits of the project.

West Hawaii Today reported an estimated 300 construction workers and specialists would be hired for the building phase, and about 140 full-time employees would work at the facility after completion.

Opponents include some native Hawaiian groups who view Mauna Kea’s summit as a sacred place.

Ginoza gets nod to lead department

Maui Mayor-elect Alan Arakawa has nominated Kyle Ginoza to be director of the county Department of Environmental Management.

His appointment was announced Thursday.

Ginoza is a project engineer and construction manager in the department’s Wastewater Division.

Previously, he was a project manager at Munekiyo & Hiraga Inc., a Maui planning and project management firm, as well as director of the county Department of Transportation.

Arakawa, who takes office Jan. 2, picked Department of Public Works Deputy Director Michael Miyamoto to be Ginoza’s chief deputy.