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School openings will increase traffic
The state Department of Transportation is reminding motorists to brace for increased traffic on Monday as an estimated 51,900 university, community college and private school students begin their fall semesters.
In an effort to alleviate anticipated congestion during the week, the DOT has postponed construction-related lane closures on major Oahu highways during daylight hours through Friday.
The department encourages commuters to consider alternative modes of transportation and to take advantage of the traffic-tracking technology available through the department’s GoAkamai App (available via iTunes and Google Play) and the GoAkamai website (www.GoAkamai.org).
Marie ramps up to major hurricane
Hurricane Marie is now a major Category 5 storm in the Eastern Pacific that is sending big waves to California and Mexico, and could bring moderate surf to Hawaii.
Meanwhile, Karina weakened to a tropical storm and Lowell’s winds remained below tropical storm strength.
Lowell’s remnants may move northeast of Hawaii by Thursday and weaken the tradewinds, possibly through the weekend, forecasters said.
Marie on Sunday was packing sustained winds of 150 mph. The storm is expected to remain a major hurricane until Tuesday, and will weaken as it moves into cooler waters and interacts with the remnants of Lowell and Karina.
Marie was 3,167 miles east-southeast of Hilo at 5 p.m. Sunday, moving west-northwest at 12 mph.
OCCC cancels visitation, again
Staffing shortages forced officials to cancel visits Sunday at Oahu Community Correctional Center.
It’s the second time this month and 15th time since March that the Department of Public Safety has cancelled visits at the prison.
The department posts cancellation notices on its website at dps.hawaii.gov between 6:30 and 7:30 a.m.
Improvements to sidewalks due near mall
A $10 million project to begin early next year will improve sidewalks and roadway drainage systems along Nawiliwili Road in front of Kauai’s Kukui Grove Center.
A half-mile stretch of the road between Kaumualii Highway and Kanani Street is rapidly deteriorating because of heavy use and an outdated drainage system, the Garden Island newspaper reports.
"When we’re done, you’re going to have a sidewalk that will allow you to walk from the front of the mall, go up the sides, go up past Costco and make a loop back up along Kaumualii Highway on the sidewalk," Ray McCormick, Kauai district engineering manager for the state Department of Transportation, said at a recent public meeting at Kukui Grove Center. "We’re proud of this project and it’s going to be a fun one."
About 80 percent of the project will be funded by the federal government while the remaining 20 percent will be paid by the state.
Current plans call for the installation of 5-foot-wide bike lanes, 8-foot- wide sidewalks and 11-foot-wide travel lanes on both sides of Nawiliwili Road. Sidewalks now line only one side of the roadway.
Marine convoys plan to travel on Big Isle roads
Oahu-based Marines will convoy from Kawaihae Harbor to Pohakuloa Training Area on Hawaii island between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday after similar movements over the weekend.
The convoys will use Akoni Pule Highway, Queen Kaahumanu Highway, Waikoloa Road, Mamalahoa Highway and the Daniel K. Inouye Highway. Military police will escort the convoys and are working closely with local authorities to coordinate the activity.