Road closings spread across Oahu

The state Department of Transportation announced the following highway and freeway lane closings on Oahu:

» The two rightmost westbound lanes on the H-1 Freeway will be closed from the Kualakai Parkway interchange to the Makakilo interchange from 10:30 p.m. today through 9:30 a.m. tomorrow for road pavement work. A single right lane also will be closed in the same area from 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. tomorrow.

» The two westbound left lanes on the H-1 will be closed between Nimitz Highway and the Aiea Heights overpass from 4 p.m. tomorrow through 3 a.m. Monday for pavement resurfacing.

» The Kaneohe-bound lanes of the H-3 Freeway from the Halawa interchange to the Halekou interchange will be closed from 7 p.m. today through 7 a.m. tomorrow for tunnel cleaning and maintenance.

» The right eastbound lane on Kalanianaole Highway will be closed between Punahele Place and East Hind Drive from 7 p.m. today through 2 p.m. tomorrow for sewer system improvements.

» Pali Highway’s right lane headed toward Kailua will be closed between Akamu Place and Puiwa Road from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday for pavement repairs.

Junior Lifeguard Program registration begins

The city Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Services Division will begin accepting registrations today for the 2011 Junior Lifeguard Program. The course will be taught this summer during five-day sessions at four locations across Oahu.

The program is open to boys and girls who are 13 to 17 years old as of June 1. Applicants must have good swimming skills.

The course will be held at Ala Moana Beach Park, Kalama Beach Park, Ehukai Beach Park and Makaha Beach Park. There will be seven sessions beginning June 6 and ending July 22.

Online registration begins today at www.myjuniorguards.com.

On-site registration is April 23 at Ala Moana Beach Park at the Ocean Safety Training Center and at Kalama Beach Park, and on April 30 at the Pupukea Foodland store and at Tamura’s Superette in Waianae. All are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

There is a suggested donation of $45 made payable to the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association. For more information, call program coordinator Shannon Clancey at 723-7864.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

County looks into breaches of bag ban

Maui County is investigating reports that seven businesses may have violated a ban on plastic bags that went into effect earlier this year.

The Maui News reported Wednesday that county Recycling Coordinator Hana Steel declined to name the businesses because the investigation is continuing.

The law prohibits businesses from giving out plastic bags at the point of sale, including at swap meets, fairs and festivals. Proponents want to eliminate the thin plastic bags that can be an eyesore and environmental hazard.

Businesses are allowed to provide customers with paper bags and thicker reusable plastic bags. A business that does not comply with the ordinance can be fined $500 for each day of violation, up to 30 days. After that, the fine increases to a maximum of $1,000 per day.

Hilo bicycle, walking trails win approval

The Windward Planning Commission has unanimously approved the county’s plan to build a $16 million network of pedestrian and bicycle trails in Hilo.

The Hawaii Tribune-Herald reported yesterday that the commission voted 4-0 to grant the administration a special management area permit to build trails near the island’s shoreline.

The trails will include sidewalks and bicycle lanes spanning two miles between Hilo Harbor and the Wailuku River. Trail loops would pass through downtown and two parks.

The timing of the project will depend on funding, securing easements across private property and coordination with other departments.

A grant from the Hawaii Tourism Authority and matching county funds helped to launch the effort.

JAPAN RELIEF EFFORTS

Rainbow’s chili sales to aid Japan

Rainbow Drive-In will stage a benefit chili sale from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. today for the American Red Cross for Japan disaster relief.

The drive-in will donate 100 percent of the proceeds from sales at its special chili tent to relief efforts. The special menu includes a chili dog or chili plate lunch, chili and rice bowl, shave ice and, for the one-day event, will offer turkey chili and vegetarian chili, as well as packages of Hawaiian Style Chili Seasoning & Rub.

Entertainment will be provided by Steve Maii & Friends.

"We came up with the idea, but our suppliers quickly joined in with total support," said Jim Gusukuma, Rainbow Drive-In vice president. "We thought that our customers would like to help Japan, even if it’s just with one chili plate lunch."

Youth symphony concert to aid Japan

The Hawaii Youth Symphony will host a benefit concert tomorrow for the Aloha for Japan/American Red Cross disaster relief efforts in Japan. The concert begins at 4 p.m. at the Blaisdell Concert Hall. In lieu of admission fees, the symphony is asking concert attendees to make a donation. Guest performers include the Honolulu Symphony Chorus and pianists Michael Stewart and Lisa Nakamichi, who was in Japan on March 11.