Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell is leading a delegation of business, government and cultural leaders on a 10-day diplomatic and trade mission to Taiwan, Hong Kong and China.
The group, which left Thursday, is visiting Taipei, the capital of Taiwan; Hong Kong; and Shenzhen and Zhongshan in China, and will return Saturday, the mayor’s office said in a release. Honolulu has sister-city relationships with Kaohsiung, a city in Taiwan, and Zhongshan.
Caldwell will meet with transit officials and visit several rail systems during the trip, and tour several factories that make products that go to Hawaii.
Violations of air quality lead to fines
WAILUKU >> The state agency that measures air quality from pollutant-producing businesses is fining Maui County along with seven businesses and two Kauai agencies for failing to pass air quality tests.
The Maui News reported Friday the Hawaii Department of Health’s Clean Air Branch announced the fines Tuesday as a result of violations discovered between 2012 and 2014.
Maui’s Department of Environmental Management failed a gas source performance test at its Central Maui Landfill in December 2013, resulting in a $6,800 fine from the Health Department.
A hearing has been requested.
Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Co. is negotiating with state health officials over $1.3 million it owes for violating air quality and reporting rules between 2009 and 2013.
The Kauai Humane Society and the Kauai Island Utility Cooperative are also facing fines.
Water main repair project will close lanes
There will be single-lane closures on Kuhio Highway between Hookui Road and Kolo Road/Kalamania Road on Kauai from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday.
Alternating lane closures will occur and traffic will be contraflowed while the roadway restoration work is done as part of a Kauai Water Department main replacement project.
County officials advise motorists to allow for extra travel time and to proceed with caution through the work area.
