Lingle to discuss political unity

Former Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle is scheduled to participate in a bipartisan political forum in New Orleans this week.

The Republican, who is running to succeed Democratic Sen. Daniel Akaka in the U.S. Senate, will appear at the Bipartisan Policy Center meeting at Tulane University along with political strategists and commentators James Carville and Mary Matalin.

More than a dozen current and former elected officials, strategists and journalists are expected to attend the gathering, which began Wednesday.

Participants are to discuss finding common ground for political progress and finding consensus on immigration issues.

Kakaako water service disrupted

Board of Water Supply personnel were expected to work into this morning to replace a broken 8-inch water main that closed Auahi Street in both directions between Ohe Street and Cooke Street in Kakaako.

A break in the 21-year-old main occurred near 742 Auahi St. around 3 p.m. and affected service to three businesses in the area, a Board of Water Supply spokesperson said.

Workers attempting to replaced approximately eight feet of pipe have been slowed by the pipe’s concrete jacketing. However, water service is still expected to be restored and the road cleared by rush hour today, the spokesperson said.

Archaeological survey planned for wind project

A wind-energy facility Castle & Cooke proposes to build in the Kaa area of Lanai will respect any significant archaeological and cultural sites in the region, the company said.

An archaeological survey will be incorporated into an environmental impact statement being done for the wind project, Castle & Cooke Hawaii President Harry Saunders said in a statement Monday.

The environmental study will identify steps needed to preserve the sites and mitigate effects the project may have.

The public will also be able to review the project and comment on it while the study is being done, he said.

Saunders issued the statement Monday after the Historic Hawaii Foundation named the proposed project site one of this year’s "most endangered historic places."

Foundation Director Kiersten Faulkner told The Maui News that community members are concerned a 170-turbine wind facility in the Kaa region would disrupt the "cultural landscape" and change the experience of being there.

Chilled truck headed for Maui Food Bank

The Maui Food Bank will be getting a new refrigerated food truck to help deliver fresh food to those in need.

Feeding America received a $4 million grant from the Walmart Foundation for 20 refrigerated food trucks and 15 mobile pantries for food banks nationwide.

Feeding America and Walmart announced Monday that the Maui Food Bank was selected to receive one of trucks.

The truck is expected to arrive on Maui in early December.