Hanabusa a newbie

U.S. Rep.-elect Colleen Hanabusa will be sworn at noon Eastern time today at the Capitol in Washington, D.C. She is among nine freshman Democrats, compared with 85 new Republicans, who will join the 112th Congress. It is the biggest freshman class in more than 60 years.

Collapsed wall keeps highway closed

The city continues to work with a Kaneohe landowner to secure a mud slope and a rock wall that collapsed last month and has kept a portion of Kamehameha Highway near the Hygienic Store closed since then.

Peter Hirai, deputy director of the Department of Emergency Management, said heavy rain caused the rock wall owned by Nik Strauser to collapse on Dec. 26. The resulting landslide prompted officials to close both lanes of Kamehameha Highway for about 150 yards near Lulani Street.

Bill provides vets with education aid

Legislation aimed at improving educational assistance for veterans since Sept. 11, 2001, has been enacted.

President Barack Obama signed the law yesterday. It was introduced by U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka, a World War II veteran who attended college on the original GI Bill.

It provides for less complex programs for veterans who have served on active duty since 9/11, pays benefits for on-job and vocational training and makes service members eligible for an annual book allowance.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Recycling of Christmas trees is urged

Kauai County officials are asking residents to recycle their Christmas trees.

Christmas trees are accepted for recycling daily except on holidays at the Hanalei, Hanapepe, Kapaa and Lihue refuse transfer stations, 7:15 a.m. to 5:15 p.m., and the Kekaha Landfill, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

A drop-off point for trees is also located outside the main entrance to Kauai Nursery and Landscaping on Kaumualii Highway in Puhi seven days a week.

For more information about recycling programs, contact the county Recycling Office at 241-4841 or go to www.kauai.gov.