8 state parks change to shorter fall hours
Eight state parks on Oahu will switch to fall and winter hours today.
The parks will open at 7 a.m. and close at 6:45 p.m. rather than 7:45 p.m.
The parks include Ka Iwi Scenic Shoreline (including Makapuu Lighthouse), Kahana Beach Park, Sand Island State Recreation Area, Keaiwa Heiau State Recreation Area in Aiea (including Aiea Loop Trail), Malaekahana State Recreation Area in Kahuku, Puu Ualakaa in Makiki, Waahila Ridge State Recreation Area in Honolulu and Wahiawa Freshwater State Recreation Area.
Conserve water, residents asked
Upcountry Maui residents are again being asked to conserve water because of “continued extremely dry weather.”
Residents of Haiku, Makawao, Olinda, Haliimaile, Pukalani, Omaopio/Pulehu, Kula, Keokea/Waiohuli, Ulupalakua and Kanaio are being asked to reduce water usage by 10 percent.
County Director of Water Dave Taylor said Friday that the Wailoa Ditch, a primary Upcountry water source, has been flowing at less than
40 million gallons per day. In addition, the 100 million-gallon Kahakapao reservoir now holds only 33.4 million gallons, and the Waikamoi reservoirs are empty.
“If we do not get rain soon and demand remains high, we will have to implement mandatory cutbacks to preserve our water supply,” Taylor said.
“If customers can use less, we can make it through without mandatory restrictions until the rains replenish the reservoirs.”
To help conserve water, consumers should check in and around homes for leaks, use water conservatively, and install water-saving devices where possible. Conservation methods include not washing cars or irrigating lawns. To report leaks in the water system, please call 270-7633.
Antenna urged for sea rescues
An antenna planned for Kalepa, Kauai, would help the Coast Guard pinpoint distressed boaters.
The Garden Island reports that members of the Coast Guard and project specialists held an open house Wednesday at Kauai High School to gather information for a draft environmental assessment. The Rescue 21 project would replace the National Distress and Response System and offer bearing triangulation to the source of VHF radio calls.
