Landmark fountain in Kailua gets temporary fix from city

Temporary repairs have been made to get the water flowing again at Pohakupu Fountain, across Kailua Road from Castle Medical Center, city officials announced Thursday.

It cost $4,800 — $4,000 in staff labor and $800 in equipment — to do what are considered temporary repairs, Mayor Kirk Caldwell said. Full reconstruction of the fountain at Pohakupu Mini Park would cost an estimated $425,000.

The fountain, which is considered by many as the gateway to Kailua, has been in disrepair for some time, Councilman Ikaika Anderson said. He said he will also work with the administration to get the park lights working again.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Agency rejects Olowalu housing project

WAILUKU, Maui >> A proposal to build 1,500 homes in the Maui community of Olowalu has come to a halt after state officials rejected the developer’s environmental assessment.

The Land Use Commission voted Monday to turn down the draft final environmental impact statement, The Maui News reported. Commissioners cited shortfalls with informationregarding potential impacts on traffic, cultural resources and archaeological sites.

Commissioner Aaron Mahi said that he felt “pretty uneasy because of the tentativeness of figures and facts” included in the statement.

“I really feel there needs to be more attention given to more specifics … not only the intention, but more importantly, what’s actually going to happen here, and that’s what I’m reallyconcerned about,” Mahi said.

The state Office of Planning recommended that the environmental assessment be denied because the preliminary traffic impact analysis report did not include peak-hour traffictotals. Officials also said developers had not interviewed cultural practitioners to examine possible impacts on cultural resources.

Project developer Bill Frampton said he thought the environmental assessment was done in “good faith and spirit.” He did not mention whether his team would appeal the decision.

The proposal calls for the development of 1,500 homes as well as stores, schools and parks. It also includes a mauka realignment of Honoapiilani Highway that would be built onabout 636 acres of agricultural land near Lahaina.