Storm could bring flooding to 3 islands
A cold front approaching from the northwest today could bring thunderstorms and the possibility of flooding to Oahu, Kauai and Niihau, according to the National Weather Service.
A flash-flood watch is in effect for the three islands from this morning through Monday afternoon.
Forecasters predict widespread heavy rain on Kauai this morning, reaching Oahu by the afternoon. The storm system is expected to continue down the island chain over the next two days.
The weather service warns that locally intense rainfall could lead to flash flooding. The public is being asked to avoid camping or hiking near streams and low-lying areas.
Tradewinds are expected to return on Wednesday, bringing limited windward showers but drier overall conditions.
Waste water contaminates Kalihi Stream
Two sewage spills hours apart sent nearly 10,000 gallons of waste water into Kalihi Stream Saturday.
City sanitation workers cleared a 12-inch sewage pipe clogged by roots that discharged an estimated 7,450 gallons of untreated waste water from a manhole into Kalihi Stream late Saturday morning.
A second, 1,500-gallon spill happened just after 4 p.m. at 1817 Alu St., according to the state Clean Water branch.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
UH-Hilo alumni will be honored at awards gala
The University of Hawaii at Hilo’s Alumni and Friends Association will hold its 13th annual Distinguished Alumni and Service Awards Banquet on Feb. 22 at 5 p.m. at the UH-Hilo Campus Center.
The event includes entertainment, live and silent auctions and a buffet dinner.
This year’s distinguished alumni honorees are Eric Matsumoto, bishop of the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii; Larry Kimura, a Hawaiian-language educator; and Valerie Takata, state Department of Education complex area superintendent for the Hilo and Wai-akea districts.
The distinguished service honoree is Gerald De Mello, recently retired UH-Hilo director of university relations.
Tickets are $75 each or $600 for a table of eight; a portion is tax-deductible. Call 974-7501 or 974-7643 or go to www.uhh.hawaii.edu/alumni.
Student artwork to adorn bare roundabout
The bare concrete roundabout on Olohena Road in Kapaa, Kauai, will become a work of art under a beautification project spearheaded by the Kapaa Business Association.
In a statement Thursday, association Vice President Bob Bartolo said the roundabout "has been in dire need of sprucing up," adding, "Basically, it’s an eyesore."
Students from Kapaa Middle School are collecting recycled glass that will be used to create an ocean seascape on the roundabout. Craig Hull of Kauai Nursery and Landscaping completed the design and will use the recycled glass to assemble the artwork.
Most of the funding came from an $18,000 grant from the state’s Transportation Enhancement Program in early 2012. The KBA and Kauai County also kicked in $1,000 each.
