City reopens spruced-up Pawaa park
After the completion of a two-week maintenance project, the city on Wednesday reopened a park and surrounding sidewalk in Pawaa, which is a favorite campsite for the homeless.
The city Department of Parks and Recreation closed Pawaa In-Ha Park, near South King and McCully streets, Sept. 26 for scheduled maintenance, including tree-trimming, grass-cutting, aerating and fertilizing.
The Department of Facility Maintenance also closed the sidewalk along the mauka side of King Street fronting the Pawaa park for maintenance during the same time.
The work was done in part because two delegations from South Korea were here to see sculptures they donated. This year marks the 110th anniversary of Korean immigration to the United States.
The city has received numerous complaints about homeless people at the park and the amount of property regularly stored there, a city official said.
Swimmers bitten by endangered seal
KAILUA-KONA » A 6-month-old endangered Hawaiian monk seal that has had previous contact with humans bit two swimmers Tuesday in Kamakahonu Bay.
Wildlife officials said the 100-pound seal may have been trying to engage the swimmers in play, said Michelle Barbieri, a veterinarian with The Marine Mammal Center.
Two marine biologists and a veterinarian captured the seal, which will be relocated, West Hawaii Today reported.
The swimmers, a pair of triathletes, were not harassing the seal, Barbieri said.
Young seals often are curious and can get into trouble because of it, she said.
One man was bitten on a knee and the other was bitten on the side of his abdomen. They were treated for minor injuries.