2 storms in eastern Pacific gain strength

Both Karina and Marie became Category 1 hurricanes in the eastern Pacific Saturday, while former Tropical Storm Lowell continued to weaken.

Marie, packing sustained winds of 105 mph, was about 371 miles south-southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico, at 5 p.m. Saturday, moving west-northwest at 14 mph.

Marie could become a major Category 4 hurricane with 140 mph sustained winds as it moves on a course parallel with the Mexico coastline.

Karina, with winds of 75 mph, was moving northeast — away from Hawaii — at 8 mph.

The storm was 1,436 miles east of Hilo at 5 p.m.

Meanwhile, Lowell degenerated into a remnant low, with winds of 35 mph, on Saturday.

Visits to correctional center are canceled

The state Department of Public Safety canceled regularly scheduled visitation at Hawaii Community Correctional Center on Saturday.

Such cancellations have occurred almost weekly for the last several months as the department struggles with ongoing staffing issues.

HCCC is a 226-bed facility on two sites, with the primary facility on three acres in downtown Hilo. HCCC’s reintegration program, Hale Nani, is 5 miles away in Panaewa.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Project targets folks on foot

LAHAINA >> A plan to revitalize the area around Maui’s Lahaina Harbor will focus on pedestrians, with improvements to sidewalks, lighting, benches and native plants, organizers said.

Maui County gave $750,000 earlier this year to the Lahaina Restoration Foundation for the projects, the Maui News reported last week.

Pedestrians are the priority because they use the harbor area the most despite it not being designed that way, foundation Executive Director Theo Morrison said.

"The completion of this project will bring reverence to important cultural sites, educate residents and visitors about Lahaina’s history, dramatically improve the appearance and safety of the harbor front and will spur economic activity in the surrounding area," Morrison said.

The group is working on planning, design and permitting, with construction set to begin in July, Morrison said. A second phase would cost an extra $1.5 million and include wider sidewalks and a promenade.

Lanes will open on new bridge

The new Lihue Mill Bridge on Kauai will open Monday with one lane to carry westbound traffic.

One lane of the original bridge will carry eastbound traffic, the Garden Island reports.

By Wednesday, all eastbound and westbound traffic will be moved to the new mauka bridge, said

Jadine Urasaki, deputy transportation director, who toured the site Friday. The
$44 million project began in February 2013.

The original bridge will be closed after Wednesday’s reopening so crews can begin rehabilitating the historic 78-year-old steel structure.

Associated Press  and Star-Advertiser staff