Beach at Hanauma Bay reopens today

The beach at Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve is scheduled to reopen at 6 a.m. today for the first time in six days.

An electrical transformer blew out Thursday, causing electricity in the lower beach area to go out. That resulted in the shutdown of comfort stations at the beach and closure of the beach itself. The transformer has been repaired, city parks officials said Tuesday.

Man charged in Maui Oil arson case

A 32-year-old Kahului man has been charged with arson for allegedly trying to set Maui Oil Co. gas tanks on fire Friday.

Wailuku Patrol Officers located and Maui police arrested Brandon Oania at about 1:37 a.m. Saturday. He was charged Monday with first-degree attempted arson, and bail was set at $50,000.

At 3:32 a.m. Friday, Maui police responded to a report of an arson in progress at 16 Hobron Ave. in Kahului. Maui Oil workers had reported seeing a man pour liquid on the gas tanks, police said. When he attempted to light the liquid on fire, the workers yelled at the man, who then fled on foot toward Hana Highway. Officers canvassed the area for the suspect but were unable to locate him and issued an all-points bulletin.

Water main work to begin in Kalaheo

A Kauai Department of Water contractor will start work this month on the Halewili Road Main Replacement Project, along Halewili Road and Kaumualii Highway, in Kalaheo.

Work will include replacing more than 2,200 feet of aging waterlines and undertaking restoration and repaving work.

“This project was designed to address the exposed maintenance issues in the service area near Brydeswood subdivision, and improve the (water) transmission line,” said Dustin Moises, DOW’s construction project management officer.

A $682,565 construction contract was awarded to Kaiwa Construction Inc. Work at the site is scheduled to begin in late February.