WAILUKU >> The Coast Guard is focusing its recruiting efforts on Maui.
The Maui News reports Lt. Dylan McCall of Paia is leading a campaign to recruit residents from his home island before expanding the program nationwide.
He is specifically targeting water polo players, surfers and others who spend much of their time in the water.
The Coast Guard has been setting up booths at surf contests and other events on the island to hand out promotional gear and help people apply.
McCall says those who sign up could start jumping out of helicopters and become a rescue swimmer within six months.
Bus system changes 2 routes, thus eliminating a transfer
The Maui Bus system will revise two routes beginning Wednesday to offer riders a more direct route to Kapalua and Honolua, as well as expanded hours that will allow Hawaiian Homes residents in Kula to make the morning connection to West Maui.
Mayor Alan Arakawa and Don Medeiros, director of the county Department of Transportation, announced that the Kaanapali and Napili Islander routes will be combined into one new route called West Maui Islander Route No. 28. This bus will travel the same route from the Wharf Cinema Center to Kaanapali, to Napili and then extend into Kapalua with a stop near the Honolua Store.
The chief difference is passengers will not have to transfer at Whalers Village to get to and from Lahaina or Kapalua, Maui County said in a news release.
Kula Villager Route No. 39 will also extend service hours beginning at 5:30 a.m. from the Hawaiian homelands lots to allow connection with the Upcountry Islander at Kulamalu every 90 minutes beginning at 6:38 a.m.
The West Maui Islander and Kula Villager bus schedule and maps will be posted on the county website at mauicounty.gov/bus.
Riders are able to track their bus in real time and get arrival times using the TransLoc Rider app available on iOS and Android or at mauibus.transloc.com.