Backup power is impetus for airport work

Construction on a $19.9 million project to build an emergency power facility at Honolulu Airport is to begin next month.

Four generators will be able provide up to 10 megawatts of electrical power to the airport during emergencies.

The state Public Utilities Commission has approved an agreement between Hawaiian Electric Co. and the state Department of Transportation for the utility to use the emergency power facility up to 1,500 hours per year to provide power to customers.

Transportation officials say Hawaiian Electric will compensate the state with monthly payments and maintenance reimbursements that could reach $14 million over 20 years.

Last month, Hawaiian Electric signed a contract with Pacific Biodiesel to provide renewable fuel for the facility.

Cause unknown in midday fire that destroys home

Maui firefighters are investigating the cause of a fire that destroyed a single-story home Saturday in Hana.

Firefighters were dispatched at about 11:10 a.m. to the 900-square-foot, three-bedroom home at 1350 Hana Highway and found the structure fully involved, a fire official said. A mother and child who lived in the house were not home.

Firefighters extinguished the blaze at 4:30 p.m. Damage was estimated at $210,000.

Garbage haulers face lawsuits over late tipping fees

Hawaii County filed 33 civil lawsuits against commercial garbage haulers last week, seeking payment of delinquent tipping fees at county landfills.

Hunter Bishop, the county’s deputy director of environmental management, told the Hawaii Tribune-Herald Friday the total sought in the litigation is $1.15 million.

Brooks Bancroft, deputy corporation counsel, said six of the lawsuits were filed in Hilo Circuit Court and four in Kona Circuit Court. The remainder of the complaints were filed in district courts.

"We have been working for a while … to reduce the delinquencies," he said.

The largest amounts sought in Hilo Circuit Court are $202,274 from Ryan’s Rubbish and Roll-off Services and $192,874 from Puna Certified Nursery. The most sought in Kona Circuit Court is $210,752 from Hawaiian Roll-off Service and $197,074 from Mr. Rubbishman.

Bishop said the biggest debtor, Superior Sanitation, has signed a promissory note to pay off its delinquency of about $290,000.