3 accidents, rain jam up Likelike commute
Three accidents on Likelike Highway and rain caused a major traffic jam Thursday morning, closing all Kaneohe-bound lanes through the Wilson Tunnel for nearly two hours.
Capt. Tyler Chan, Honolulu Fire Department spokesman, said the first accident occurred at 7 a.m. on the Kaneohe side of the tunnel when a vehicle flipped after hitting a pole. A car trying to avoid the first vehicle clipped another one, Chan said.
The third accident occurred on the town side of the tunnel.
Police closed both Kaneohe-bound lanes just after 8 a.m. and reopened them at 9:43 a.m. Traffic was diverted to Nalanieha Street in Kalihi.
None of the vehicles’ occupants were seriously injured.
Kapaa Longs gets OK despite opposition
The Kauai Planning Commission has approved a new 23,200-square-foot Longs Drugs store in Kapaa after a marathon meeting and heated opposition, the Garden Island newspaper reported Thursday.
The commission unanimously approved a request by CVS Longs Drugs after the 13-hour meeting Tuesday despite opposition from local residents, visitors and owners of the Plantation condominium, located 75 feet from the new retail store and pharmacy. Concerns dealt with traffic and visual impacts, noise, increased crime and flooding, and potential zoning problems.
The new store in the Waipouli coconut grove will have the only drive-through pharmacy on Kauai and 97 parking stalls.
It will replace the store at Kauai Village shopping center.
Park restrooms to be shuttered for renovations
Restrooms at four Maui parks will be renovated with paint and new plumbing fixtures starting next week.
During renovation the restrooms in the following parks will be closed, and portable toilets will be provided for public use:
» Kamalii Park in Kahului, off Aiai Street; restrooms closed from Monday to Oct. 24.
» Polo Beach Park in Wailea, off Makena Road; restrooms closed from Monday to Nov. 4.
» Haiku Ball Fields, behind Haiku Park and Community Center off Hana Highway; restrooms closed from Oct. 28 to Nov. 11.
» Hookipa Park in Kuau, off Hana Highway; restrooms closed from Nov. 18 to Dec. 6.
For more information, call parks project manager Paul Taylor, at 270-6173.
