Snow a no-show at Big Island summits
Anticipated snowfall for the summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa failed to materialize Monday, but the threat of thundershowers for Hawaii island will continue through the end of the week, according to the National Weather Service.
The unstable conditions stem from moist air from the south mixing with colder air above.
The weather service predicts cloudy conditions and scattered showers in the daytime with the chance of heavier showers and thunderstorms in the evenings for Hawaii island through Wednesday or Thursday, when drier air is expected to come in from the north.
More limited moisture and an upper-level trough is expected to produce enhanced showers over the rest of the island chain.
Cool, brisk trades will strengthen starting Thursday, forecasters predicted.
The forecast Oahu calls for breezy tradewinds, a 50 percent chance of scattered showers through Friday, with highs between 77 and 82 degrees and lows between 65 and 71 degrees.
Makapuu trail to remain closed Friday
The Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of State Parks will close the Makapuu Lighthouse Trail on Friday to make up for a day’s work lost due to rainy weather.
The state recently started a six-month improvement project on the trail, prompting its closure during weekdays for the first four weeks of the project.
It initially planned to open one side of the trail on weekdays starting Friday while construction continues.
In late July, when the project is scheduled to wrap up, the trail will return to weekday closures as contractors repave the entire path.
For more information, go to the "announcements" section of the Division of State Parks website at www.hawaiistateparks.org.
County, state investigate rash of fires
The Kauai Police and Fire departments are working with the state Department of Land and Natural Resources to investigate more than 40 brush fires that have occurred on public property since December.
The brush fires have occurred since from Kekaha to Haena, Fire Chief Robert Westerman said in a news release.
The high number of brush fires is unusual.
Police suspect foul play.
"We are asking the public to be vigilant to help protect their properties and also to report any suspicious activity to police," said Westerman.
Acting Capt. Bryson Ponce of the Police Department’s Investigation Services Bureau said most of the fires have occurred near residential neighborhoods. It doesn’t take much for a brush fire to turn into a house fire, he said.
Those with information on the brush fires can call Detective Christian Jenkins at 241-1680 or police dispatch at 241-1711.
Maui mayor to give speech on March 10
Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa will give the 2015 State of the County address at 5 p.m. March 10 at the McCoy Studio Theater at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center in Kahului.
Doors will open to the public at 4:30 p.m. Inside seating is limited, but overflow seating with live viewing on a television monitor will be available in the outdoor courtyard.
A sign language interpreter will be available during the event. Those requiring other types of assistance or accommodation due to disability are asked to call the Mayor’s Office at 270-7855.