Hagel to stop in isles on his way to Asia

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel’s trip to Asia will begin with a stopover in the islands this week.

Hagel will meet with Adm. Samuel Locklear, U.S. Pacific forces commander, and visit with Marines at Kaneohe Bay, the Pentagon said.

No information was provided about when he will arrive, but he is scheduled to visit Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Saturday, followed by a layover in Jakarta, Indonesia, Monday and Aug. 27. He will travel to Brunei Aug. 27-29 to meet with defense counterparts from the Asia-Pacific region.

Hagel will conclude his trip in Manila on Aug. 30 and return to Washington.

The secretary first visited Hawaii in May.

Repairs continue on gas leak at UH

A gas leak at the University of Hawaii at Manoa was temporarily contained at 2:30 p.m. Monday.

A campus alert was issued at 1:40 p.m. that the gas line leak occurred at the Campus Center construction site. Firefighters and gas company workers responded.

University officials warned people to stay away from the area between Kuy­kendall Hall and the Campus Center, and the area was cordoned off.

No injuries were reported.

Permanent repairs were scheduled for overnight.

Residents killed in house fire are identified

Hawaii County police have identified the two victims of a fire that engulfed a Hilo home early Thursday.

Dental records were used to identify William Hachmeister, 67, and Dixeen Saka­moto, 60. According to autopsy results, both residents died of toxic carbon monoxide inhalation tied to the house fire.

The fire at the house on Wai­naku Avenue was reported at 1:08 a.m. Thursday. After firefighters extinguished the flames, the two bodies were discovered in the rubble.

Road widening to ease traffic is months away

KAPAA, Kauai » Transportation officials don’t have immediate solutions to alleviate long-standing traffic headaches in Kapaa.

Resident and business owner Christine Dorland was among about 30 people who attended a Kapaa Business Association meeting last week to discuss traffic problems. She said it can take an hour and a half to drive 1.5 miles from her office on Kukui Street to the Wai­pouli Town Center, about a mile away.

Efforts to widen Kuhio Highway fronting Coco Palms Resort and the nearby Wai­lua Cane Haul Bridge to four lanes have been stalled over the years because of environmental, permitting and funding constraints, the Garden Island newspaper reported.

Department of Transportation Kauai District Engineer Ray McCormick said final approval for the proj­ect should happen within the next few months. But it will be another year before the proj­ect goes out for bid.

Adding a fourth lane will improve the ease of right turns at the intersection of Kuhio Highway and Kua­moo Road, where traffic backs up, McCormick said.