Process food-stamp forms faster, state told

A federal judge ordered the state Department of Human Services Monday to correct problems in processing applications for food stamps for Hawaii’s low-income families.

According to lawyers who represent food stamp recipients, U.S. District Judge David Ezra issued a preliminary injunction that orders the state department to comply with federal requirements of providing the benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

The federal requirements call for the processing of the applications within 30 days, and within seven days for applicants facing emergencies, according to the Hawaii Appleseed Center on Law and Economic Justice, which represents the recipients.

The department must reach full compliance with the requirements by Dec. 31, the nonprofit law firm said.

In 2009, 87 percent of new applications were timely processed, but the figure fell to 70.8 percent by November 2011, the law firm said.

The center represents Hawaii residents who have filed food stamp applications since Aug. 8, 2008, but have not had their applications processed within 30 days.

The National Center for Law and Economic Justice and the Honolulu law firm of Alston Hunt Floyd & Ing also represent the residents.

Vog, humidity will rule for next few days

Expect a voggy haze and muggy weather to stick around through Friday, National Weather Service forecasters say.

Light winds from the southeast are blowing vog from Kilauea over Oahu and other islands. The skies are expected to become hazy this afternoon and remain voggy until the tradewinds return Friday.

Humid weather could also help create afternoon showers over leeward areas.

Forecasters say a weather system north of Kauai is responsible for the light, southerly winds. The system is expected to remain in place, cutting off the usual tradewinds, until it weakens later in the week.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Hiker, focus of search, walks out on his own

An overdue hiker from New Jersey emerged safely from a Haleakala National Park trail Monday morning, Maui officials said.

Park rangers said Phil Meyers, 58, began his solo hike Sunday on the Halemauu trail at the 7,990-foot level and planned to hike 11 miles into the crater and off the mountain by the end of the day. When he didn’t, the Maui Fire Department began air and ground searches at 8 until 11:30 p.m. Sunday and resumed the search Monday.

Rangers said Meyers did not have a trail map and despite "inadequate preparation, water and clothing," was able to hike through Kaupo Gap at Haleakala’s east end. Meyers left the trail at about 9:20 a.m. and was picked up by a motorist on Piilani Highway, a county spokesman said. Meyers had no major injuries, the county said.

Kauai mayor invites public to 2 meetings

Kauai Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. will hold two community meetings this week.

The meetings will take place Wednesday at the Kekaha Neighborhood Center and Thursday at the Koloa Neighborhood Center. Both meetings will run from 6 to 8 p.m.

Carvalho will present an update of his Holo Holo 2020 program along with a report of islandwide and regional projects.

Topics at the Kekaha meeting will include relocation of the Kekaha lifeguard tower and the proposed emergency evacuation area. The Koloa meeting will include updates on the south shore area development plan and the Kaneiolouma Heiau, Paanau Phase II housing project.