Crash into pole kills passenger

A 26-year-old woman was killed Tuesday morning when the car she was a passenger in crashed into a traffic signal pole in Lahaina.

Maui police said the crash occurred at about 1:45 a.m. at Hono­apiilani Highway and Shaw Street in Lahaina. Speed may have been a factor, police said.

A 30-year-old Lahaina man was driving the 1990 Toyota Corolla north on Honoapiilani Highway and struck a traffic signal pole. The vehicle went through the intersection and hit a second signal pole.

Maui police said Kelly Peterson, riding in the front passenger seat, was taken by ambulance to the Maui Memorial Medical Center, where she died. The driver was also taken to the hospital, where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Fire ant baiting will close park

The Hawaii County Department of Parks and Recreation will close Hilo’s Richardson Ocean Park, weather permitting, at 2:30 p.m. March 27 so maintenance workers can apply a second round of baiting treatments to combat fire ant infestations.

The park will reopen at 7 a.m. March 28. Signs will be posted starting Monday to inform park-goers of the shutdown.

The Department of Parks and Recreation has partnered with the University of Hawaii to develop a strategy for reducing fire ant colonies in Hawaii County parks. Fire ant populations at Richardson Ocean Park dropped by more than 50 percent following the placement of nontoxic baited vials in the park in mid-January, officials said.

For details, contact Jason Armstrong at 345-9105 or jarmstrong@co.hawaii.hi.us.