Honolulu is receiving $5 million from the federal government to buy eight new turbine electric buses.

Hawaii’s congressional delegation announced the award on Monday. The funds were made available through the U.S. Transportation Department’s Transit Investments for Greenhouse Gas and Energy Reduction program.

The eight new 45-foot buses will increase the city’s fleet to 539, 60 of which are hybrid-electric.

Hawaii’s delegation says the funds will help the city move more people around Oahu while helping to lessen the dependence on imported oil.

Wild donkeys flown from Hawaii arrive in California

Most people have been on a plane with a few jackasses before. But 10 dozen donkeys on one flight?

One hundred twenty donkeys have arrived at a sanctuary in Tehachapi, Calif., on a plane from Hawaii chartered by the Humane Society of the United States.

Tracy Miller, manager of Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue in Tehachapi, said Sunday the donkeys are “none the worse for wear” after the long flight and a two-hour drive Saturday that followed it.

They are descendants of donkeys brought to Hawaii island to work coffee plantations and then cast aside when they became obsolete.

Recent drought conditions have brought donkeys down from the mountains into developed areas, where they have disrupted traffic and made other trouble for humans.

Work to affect waste collection at Kauai station

Kauai officials say the Hanalei refuse transfer station will not accept loose mixed waste from 8 to 10 a.m. today due to maintenance work.

The facility will still accept bagged trash, green waste, appliances and scrap metals, household recyclables in the Kauai Recycles Drop Bins, propane tanks, and residential used motor oil and motor oil filters for recycling.

Residents wishing to dispose of loose mixed waste during this period may take items to the Kapaa refuse transfer station.

Normal operating hours for the transfer stations are 7:15 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.

Call the Solid Waste Division at 241-4841.