The Division of State Parks will close parts of Wahiawa Freshwater State Recreation Area on weekdays for hazardous tree removal over the next two weeks, starting Monday, August 3.
A contractor will be removing six albizia trees next to the boat launch ramp and nearby parking areas, which will be closed on weekdays. If this section is completed early, it will be reopened to the public. Two tall eucalyptus trees next to the restroom will require adjacent parking stalls to be temporarily closed during their removal.
The park will remain open Aug. 8-9.
Bridge project to begin in Wahiawa
Work on the state highways project to repair and repaint Karsten Thot Bridge in Wahiawa will start Monday, Aug. 3.
Roadwork will be done from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. without lane closures. But night work may result in either single lane closures from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. or full closures of the bridge from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. During work hours, the height clearance for the bridge will be lowered from 14 feet 4 inches to 12 feet probably until the end of the year.
The project will include repairing corroded structural steel, improving walkway and guard railings, and repainting to provide corrosion protection. The project costs $7.9 million funded with 80 percent federal and 20 percent state funds. It is anticipated to be completed by April 2016.
Paia Inn owner fined $500,000
The Maui County Department of Planning has levied a $500,000 fine against the owner and operator of three vacation rentals for a variety of violations.
The fines result from some 30 notices of violations of short-term rental home, special management area, zoning and building codes laws. According to the county, the violations include converting garages and a shed into short-term rental rooms, renting more rooms than permits allowed, building a parking lot without a permit, building an enclosure that housed a propane tank and a water heater, and constructing building additions without permits.
The county began its investigation of Paia Inn, owned by Michael Baskin, in 2013 in response to complaints. Attempts were subsequently made to settle with Baskin in court and through mediation.
On Friday, the county announced an agreement between Mayor Alan Arakawa and the Maui County Council to levy the fine, which is to be paid in two installments. In addition, Baskin will be required to remove all illegal structures or obtain after-the-fact permits to bring them into compliance. Baskin will be subject to an additional $500,000 fine if the terms of the agreement are violated.
Tips sought in Big Island arson
Hawaii island police are asking the public’s help in providing information about a suspicious fire that destroyed a vacant house in Puna on June 12.
The house on North Glenwood Road in Kurtistown sustained about $25,000 in damage. A fire investigator determined that the blaze was intentionally set, although the cause is still under investigation.
