2 isle volunteers to help mudslide victims
A pair of Hawaii Red Cross mental health volunteers are heading to Snohomish County in Washington to help victims of the massive mudslide that hit the town of Oso on Saturday.
Elizabeth Norcross was scheduled to leave Honolulu on Monday evening, and Ron Matayoshi is expected to leave Wednesday.
Both will help provide crisis counseling, support and comfort to those dealing with the aftermath of the tragedy or waiting for information about loved ones.
Fourteen people are confirmed dead from the mudslide, and as many as 176 are still missing.
Possible trouble diverts Hawaiian Air plane
A Hawaiian Airlines flight from Las Vegas to Honolulu on Monday had to be diverted to Los Angeles after an indicator light showed a possible problem with the aircraft’s air-conditioning system. The plane is scheduled to leave Los Angeles on Tuesday morning.
Ann Botticelli, Hawaiian Airlines spokeswoman, said the aircraft was 20 minutes off the West Coast when the pilot noticed the problem and decided to divert to Los Angeles, where it landed at 10:30 a.m.
The airplane was initially scheduled to leave at 1 p.m. Monday, but Botticelli said an airline part needed replacement and the part needed to be brought in from Minneapolis.
She said the new departure time is 8:40 a.m. Tuesday.
Passengers have been fed, put up in hotel rooms and given a $300 travel credit, she said.
Botticelli said Hawaiian Air was able to accommodate a few passengers on other airlines and bring them to Hawaii.
No injuries were reported.
Maui parks bill to ban tobacco is OK’d by panel
A Maui County Council committee has recommended passage of a bill to make county parks and recreational facilities tobacco-free zones.
The bill, approved by the Economic Development, Energy, Agriculture and Recreation Committee on Friday, would make it unlawful for any person to smoke or use tobacco products within any county park or recreational facility, including beach parks.
The bill now moves to the full Council for passage on first reading.
"I was honored to introduce this measure on behalf of Maui County’s youth," Committee Chairman Don S. Guzman said. "And I hope this experience motivates young people to become more actively engaged in the democratic process."
Since 2008, Hawaii County has prohibited smoking and use of tobacco products at county parks and recreational facilities.
In 2012 the City and County of Honolulu enacted a smoking prohibition on some parks; in 2013 the city banned smoking at all parks.
"I believe it’s my responsibility, as an elected official, to be a good steward of the environment and to respond to very compelling evidence presented to me by local groups and organizations on the negative effects of tobacco use at parks and beaches," Guzman said.
Testimony may be submitted to county.clerk@mauicounty.us.
