Abercrombie talks tourism in Japan

Gov. Neil Abercrombie is in Japan for the first part of his trip to Asia.

Abercrombie wrapped up meetings Monday in Tokyo with representatives of the Japan Association of Travel Agents, Japan Airlines and media who cover the travel industry, before heading to Okinawa.

Visitors from Japan are a key part of Hawaii’s tourism industry. Although the number of visitors has dropped since the March 11 tsunami, spending by Japanese tourists is up 4.9 percent over last year, to $1.3 billion, so far this year.

Abercrombie was scheduled Tuesday to participate in a parade on Okinawa as well as meet with officials from the Okinawa prefecture government.

Abercrombie is also set to attend a meeting of the National Governors Association in Beijing before returning on Oct. 20.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Learn how to get grants for projects concerning health

The Hawaii Island Beacon Community will hold meetings on how groups can apply for a share of $300,000 in grants for projects in 2012 that support positive changes in healthy eating, physical activity or tobacco use prevention in Hawaii County.

Meetings will be Monday at West Hawaii Civic Center in Kailua-Kona, Tuesday at Aupuni Center in Hilo, Oct. 19 at Tutu’s House in Kamuela Business Center and Oct. 20 at Pahoa Community Center. All meetings are 6 to 8 p.m.

RSVP to Mari Horike at 933-8566 or horike@hibeacon.com. Hawaii Island Beacon Community is a federally funded project of the College of Pharmacy at the University of Hawaii at Hilo.

Work will restrict water pressure

Some Maui residents are being asked to put some water aside in preparation for work today on a 12-inch main line in Ulupalakua.

Department of Water Supply officials say that during the work today, there will be very low pressure or possibly no water from Tedeschi Vineyard to the Kanaio area.

Residents are also asked to conserve water as much as possible as the work proceeds.

Molokai brush fire chars 5 acres

A fire burned about five acres of dry brush Monday near the Molokai community center farm in Hoolehua, a Maui fire battalion chief said.

The fire was reported at 11:30 a.m. at the intersection of Huaai Road and Maunaloa Highway in Hoolehua. Four fire units and 17 fire personnel were dispatched at 11:35 a.m. and extinguished the fire at 6:19 p.m. No property damage or injuries were reported.