Champley confirmed to utilities panel

The state Senate voted unanimously Thursday to confirm Michael Champley, a Maui-based energy consultant, to the state Public Utilities Commission.

Champley has served as an interim commissioner on the three-member regulatory body since Gov. Neil Abercrombie appointed him in September.

Champley’s name was not immediately forwarded to the Senate for consideration when the legislative session opened in January. His nomination was sent to the Senate after Abercrombie and his advisers spoke with Champley again about whether the appointee shares the governor’s energy policy goals.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Maui airport fix will boost noise in some areas

The state Department of Transportation advises Maui residents of an expected increase in aircraft traffic over the Kahu­lui, Wai­luku and Spreck­els­ville areas because of airfield maintenance work at Kahu­lui Airport.

Runway 2-20 will be closed for airfield maintenance work Sunday morning from 12:01 to 5 a.m. During this time, flight patterns will be modified, resulting in increased air traffic over Kahu­lui, Wai­luku and Spreck­els­ville.

The maintenance work is a federally funded $1.14 million project encompassing a complete rewiring of the runway lights and taxiway light circuits. The taxiway lights will be changed to LED energy-efficient lights. The anticipated project completion date is this May.