Prison visitation canceled on Oahu, Big Isle

The Department of Public Safety canceled visitation to Halawa Correctional Facility on Oahu and the Punahele, Komohana and Waianuenue correctional facilities on Hawaii island on Saturday due to ongoing staffing shortages.

Such cancellations have been an almost-weekly occurrence this year as the department deals with chronic absenteeism, especially on weekends and when major sporting events are on TV.

Lane closures may cause traffic contraflow

The state Department of Transportation is advising motorists of multiple lane closures in both directions on Vineyard Boulevard from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday for pavement resurfacing work.

Traffic may be contraflowed on Vineyard Boulevard between Punchbowl and Maunakea streets, transportation officials said.

Motorists are advised to use the H-1 freeway, Beretania Street and King Street as alternate routes.

Maunawila heiau transferred to land trust

Lawmakers and community leaders gathered in Hauula on Saturday to celebrate the transfer of the Maunawila heiau from private ownership to a land trust devoted to preserving the site.

Hawaiian Islands Land Trust acquired the 9-acre property from the McGregor family in a deal that was formally concluded in July. The acquisition was funded through the city’s Clean Water and Natural Lands Fund and by the state Department of Land and Natural Resources Legacy Lands Conservation Program.

According to HILT, the heiau, believed to be a healing temple, is one of the last of its kind in Koolauloa.

Over the past three years, volunteers have worked to clear overgrown vegetation from the 1,000-square-meter heiau, composed of two platform terraces, stone paving and other features.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Man completes benefit walk around Maui

WAILUKU, Maui >> A Makawao man, sometimes rain drenched and overheated, persevered through Hurricane Ana and other trials to complete his 12-day, 165-mile trek around Maui to raise funds for gifts and activities for Hale Makua.

“It was an experience,” Brian Sato said Thursday, a day after he completed his journey. “It was everything I thought it was going to be and then some — going up the hills and down the hills.”
The 57-year-old Haleakala Distillers manager has raised nearly $3,000 in donations from his walk, dubbed “Walking it Forward for Hale Makua.” His goal was $2,500.

Asked if taking vacation and dedicating 12 days to raise funds was worth it, Sato replied, “I think so.”

Sato began his walk Oct. 11 at Baldwin Beach Park in Paia and headed east. He ended at the park late Wednesday afternoon.

On Oct. 18, as Hurricane Ana passed south of the islands, Sato said, it rained so hard in Olowalu that his tent leaked.

In the Hana area early on his trip, his cart lost a bolt and he had to walk to Hasegawa General Store to get a replacement part. He also had encounters with barking dogs and a friendly goat that he had to shoo away.

Hale Makua, a nonprofit health and elder care agency, said that it has been touched by Sato’s “enthusiasm and generosity.”

Sato’s story also touched Roger Hawley, who still holds the 47-year-plus record for hiking/walking around Maui in around five days, set in 1967.

“I’ve got to give him credit,” Hawley said. “I did it when I was 19. For him to do it at 57 is quite a marvel.”

Hawley was impressed by Sato’s motives and got friends together to meet Sato at his finish Wednesday under rainy skies. The two shared a bottle of Champagne.

Associated Press