New laws to tally, develop state land

Gov. Neil Abercrombie has signed into law bills to inventory ceded lands and to establish a new public land development corporation.

The inventory is intended to help the state gather an accurate database of ceded lands — former crown lands transferred to the federal government, then to the state. The public land development corporation, which will be under the jurisdiction of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, is being created to make optimal use of public land, including new recreational and leisure projects. The corporation is expected to launch a culturally sensitive public land development program.

"It will be the development arm of the DLNR," Abercrombie said yesterday.

Marines looking for a few good emcees

The Marines are searching for three people to emcee the main stage at this year’s BayFest festival July 15-17.

Candidates must be in the military. Marine Corps Community Services said Thursday a panel of judges will select three winners after several rounds that will test contestants on their ability to announce, improvise and work a crowd.

Contestants will face off June 30 at Kahuna’s Sports Bar & Grill on the Kaneohe Bay base. Each winner will emcee one night of the three-day festival. Those interested may sign up at www.BayFestHawaii.com.

BayFest is an annual event hosted by Marine Corps Community Services and Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Water-boiling call issued

The Kauai County Department of Water is advising people in portions of Kilauea to boil their water for two minutes before drinking or cooking with it to eliminate microbial contamination.

Affected areas include Kuhio Highway from Wailapa Road to Kapuna Road; Huli and Waiakalua roads; and portions of Koolau Road.

Officials said a preliminary sampling taken Thursday showed that the Department of Water system in Kilauea was compromised due to a cross-connection with irrigation water on private property. Water crews flushed and sampled the water system Thursday afternoon and into the night. Subsequent test results indicate the suspect water was successfully removed.

Tankers with clean water were placed on Kuhio Highway at Wailapa and Kapuna roads.