East-facing shores can expect high surf

A high surf advisory is in effect for the state’s east-facing shores until 6 p.m. today.

National Weather Service officials are advising beachgoers to exercise caution and pick recreation areas suited to their abilities.

Surf along east-facing shores was expected to top out at 10 feet Tuesday night, decreasing today to 5 to 8 feet, with strong breaking waves, shorebreaks and rip currents.

More fireworks permits issued on Oahu

Oahu residents can expect more pop and smoke on New Year’s Eve.

The number of fireworks permits issued by the Honolulu Fire Department increased by more than 17 percent this year to 13,111, according to the Honolulu Fire Department.

Fireworks permits have been steadily climbing from 8,564 in 2012 to 10,922 in 2013 and 11,144 last year.

Firecrackers may be discharged from 9 p.m. Dec. 31 until 1 a.m. Jan. 1.

Use of aerial fireworks is prohibited unless the fire chief issues a display permit. Also, no one under age 18 is allowed to use firecrackers, even with adult supervision.

UH-West Oahu hires 2 to executive posts

The University of Hawaii-West Oahu has hired Judy Oliveira as chancellor for student affairs and Jacqueline Honda as associate vice chancellor for academic affairs.

Oliveira, who had served as interim vice chancellor for student affairs, will be responsible for campuswide planning and policy formulation, the school announced.

Before joining UHWO, Oliveira served as TRIO educational talent search director and principal investigator at Windward Community College.

Honda, who previously served as UHWO director of institutional effectiveness, will oversee institutional research and assessment, faculty and professional development and other duties.

Parking in Lanikai will be restricted

No parking will be permitted on the unimproved sidewalk on the right side of the road along the Lanikai loop on Christmas and New Year’s weekends, in order to ensure access to Lanikai for emergency vehicles, residents and visitors.

The Lanikai loop includes Aalapapa and Mokulua drives, where a bike lane runs along the right side of both streets.

Parking is always prohibited in the bike lane, with a potential fine of $200.

Also, motorists should not drive on the bike lane, stop and/or unload people or equipment on the lane.

Barriers will be placed adjacent to the bike lane on the Lanikai loop, notifying motorists of the no-parking restrictions.

Motorists who park on the right side of the Lanikai loop over the coming three-day weekends, impede emergency response or park, drive, stop or unload on the bike lane will be subject to citation and/or towing by the Honolulu Police Department.

Neighbor Islands

Kauai permits for firecrackers available now

LIHUE >> Permits to set off New Year’s Eve firecrackers on Kauai can be picked up as late as Dec. 31.

Applications are available at Kauai Fire Department’s headquarters at the Lihue Civic Center, 4444 Rice St., from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays. Applicants must be at least 18 years old.

A permit-holder can purchase up to 5,000 nonaerial individual firecrackers. There’s no limit on the number of permits an individual can obtain.

Only licensed pyrotechnicians with proper permits are authorized to ignite aerial fireworks.

No permit is required to purchase the following items: snakes, sparklers, fountains, cylindrical or cone fountains, whistles, toy smoke devices, wheels and ground spinners, and other similar products.

Fireworks may be ignited on private property only from 9 p.m. Dec. 31 to 1 a.m. Jan. 1.

It’s illegal to set off fireworks on public property, including streets, sidewalks and parks. Also, removing the powder or pyrotechnic contents from fireworks is prohibited.

The county’s Fire Prevention Bureau advises keeping fireworks away from dry grass or flammable materials, and keeping a water hose and/or fire extinguisher nearby in case of an unexpected fire.

Sewage spill sullies stream, marsh on Kauai

Warning signs advising the public to stay out of Puu Poa Marsh and Kiaiakua Stream on Kauai were posted in the aftermath of a wastewater spill.

Princeville Utilities advised the state Department of Health’s Clean Water Branch on Tuesday of a 3,000-gallon raw sewage discharge in Puu Poa Marsh by way of Kiaiakua Stream. The public is advised to remain out of these waters until the signs have been removed.