Change Memorial Day date, Hanabusa says
U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa wants to move the date of Memorial Day to encourage more Americans to focus on honoring military service members.
The congresswoman from Hawaii planned to introduce a bill Thursday changing Memorial Day from the last Monday of the month to May 30.
"Many Americans have begun to celebrate the long weekend as the beginning of summer rather than honoring those who died courageously in battle," Hanabusa said.
The weekend is known for shopping and leisure activities as well as memorial services.
Hanabusa said the holiday was originally celebrated on May 30 until Congress changed the date in 1968.
She said she is carrying on the effort of the late U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye, who advocated a date change.
New control tower dedicated at Kona Airport
U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono joined state officials Wednesday to dedicate a new air traffic control tower at Kona Airport.
The new tower will provide better visibility over the air traffic patterns, replacing a tower that’s almost 43 years old, according to a state Department of Transportation release. Construction on the $34.9 million structure started in December 2009, the release said.
While at the Kona Airport, Hirono, Lt. Gov. Shan Tsutsui and transportation officials also formally broke ground on a new 24,000-square-foot aircraft rescue and firefighting facility. The $14.6 million project, covered by FAA and state funds, will include two truck bays, a trailer bay, building area and improved work and living spaces for firefighters.
Kealakekua Bay reopens to folks holding permits
A popular bay is once again open to the public.
West Hawaii Today reports that people hoping to use Kealakekua Bay will have to apply for a special use permit and promise not to land at Kaawaloa.
The bay was closed almost six months ago to all recreational activities because of illegal kayak vending and concerns about damage to cultural and historic sites at Kaawaloa.
The Department of Land and Natural Resources announced Wednesday that the special use permits now are available. Recreational kayakers, stand-up paddlers and paddlers in one-man canoes can email Jacqueline.M.Velasco@hawaii.gov to request a permit, which is good through December.
