Chile’s actions worry Akaka

In letters to the president of Chile and the U.S. secretary of state, Sen. Daniel Akaka has raised concerns over Chilean armed forces evicting Rapa Nui natives who are protesting land ownership.

The letters, dated Thursday and co-signed by Congressman Eni Faleomavaega of American Samoa, express concern over the evictions that have occurred over the past five months and particularly regarding the plight of 13 people in the Hanga Roa Hotel who face eviction Tuesday.

Chilean police landed on Easter Island in August after protesters occupied government buildings for about two weeks, claiming ancestral land ownership.

The letters to Chilean President Sebastian Pinera and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton asked Chile’s government to lower tensions by removing police forces patrolling the hotel and to provide provisions to those in the hotel.

Airman visits isles

Tuskegee Airman Norman Artis will be at the Pacific Aviation Museum on Monday at 11 a.m. Artis is in Hawaii to establish a chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen, America’s first black military aviators. For more information, contact Anne Murata at 441-1013 or anne@pacificaviationmuseum.org.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Pools have new hours

Public swimming pools in Kapaa and Waimea have new hours of operation, Kauai County announced.

The Kapaa pool will be open Tuesday to Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4:30 p.m.

The Waimea pool will be open Tuesday and Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.; Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; and Sunday from noon to 4:30 p.m.

Both pools are closed on Mondays and holidays.

Due to a staffing shortage, the Waimea pool will be closed tomorrow.

Refuse spots are limited

The Kapaa and Hanalei refuse transfer stations will not accept some items while repairs are done this moth, Kauai officials said.

Repair work will take place Monday at the Kapaa station and next Saturday to Feb. 25 at the Hanalei station.

While repairs are being done, loose mixed waste will not be accepted. All of the other waste diversion programs will continue, and bagged trash will be accepted.