The Lanikai Pillbox Trail will be closed for two months beginning Thursday, according to the Department of Land and Natural Resources.
During the closure, crews will rehabilitate two historic World War II-era structures on the popular hiking trail on Kaiwa Ridge in Kailua.
The project was originally planned for March but was delayed pending Federal Aviation Administration approval of the contractor’s flight plan to fly up materials and equipment.
Crews will repair concrete spalling, replace rusted steel roof supports with new flange roof supports, and apply protective roof sealant.
The project contractor is Tokunaga Masonry Inc., and the project will cost the state $248,228 to complete.
HAWAII ISLAND
Kitchen fire damages home but no injuries reported
A cooking mishap resulted in a fire that caused an estimated $100,000 in damage to a Hilo residence Wednesday evening.
According to a Hawaii County Fire Department news release, the fire began when oil in a pan caught fire and ignited items that were stored above the stove.
The residents of the five-bedroom, single-story home were able to safely evacuate to a neighbor’s house.
Firefighters responding to the 9:25 p.m. emergency call found the kitchen and an adjacent room in flames and extinguished the blaze before it could spread further.
No injuries were reported.
KAUAI
Pennsylvania man dies while swimming on Kauai
A man died in waters off Kaakaaniu Beach, also known as Larsen’s Beach, on Kauai’s north shore Wednesday, Kauai County officials said.
Police identified him as Scott Harmon, 48, of Pennsylvania.
At about 1:30 p.m. Harmon was swimming with a friend when he became distressed, then unresponsive, in the water. A bystander on the unguarded beach swam out to them with a rescue tube. Harmon was brought to shore, where other bystanders began administering CPR.
Lifeguards were first on the scene, followed by firefighters from Hanalei. They continued resuscitation efforts until Air 1 arrived and airlifted Harmon to Koolau Road. Medics transported him to Wilcox Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
An autopsy is pending to determine the cause of death. Representatives from Life’s Bridges, a grief counseling service, are assisting Harmon’s family.
