Newswatch Star-Bulletin staff and wire service

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Makakilo sewers to be tested

Smoke will be used next week to test the waste-water collection system for Makakilo residential areas.

From Tuesday to Friday, city Department of Environmental Services crews will pump smoke into sewer lines, look for escaping smoke and determine the location of any cracks. This is a preventive maintenance program to prevent rainwater from entering the sewer system.

Runoff from heavy rain can overwhelm the sewage system and treatment plants, causing spills. The smoke is harmless, city officials said. The areas to be tested are Hookili Place, Kewai Place, Kiowao Place, Pueonani Street and Punawainui Street.

Veterans cemeteries get funds

The state has released $645,000 for improvements to two veterans cemeteries on Oahu and the Big Island, and to help start a veterans center on Molokai.

The Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery in Kaneohe will receive $195,000 for improvements, including design and construction of about 2,000 additional columbarium niches and landscape repairs. The West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery will receive $200,000 to build a memorial walk, columbaria, equipment storage facility and restrooms.

The remaining $250,000 will go to the development of the veterans center on Molokai, which will serve about 600 people.

Lingle says the state wants to ensure veterans have a properly maintained final resting place that will be a tribute to their sacrifices.

State ID cards are available

State workers will process applications for state ID cards at Waipahu High School next Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the new cards will be mailed to applicants.

New applicants must bring an original Social Security card and a certified copy of their birth certificate or resident alien card. The fee is $15 in cash, $10 for those age 65 and older.

Current ID cards may be renewed without further documentation, so long as there are no changes in name or citizenship status. Any changes must be supported by certified documents from the government.

Recorded information on application requirements is available at 587-3111 and on the Internet at www.stateid.hawaii.gov. If you have more questions, call 587-3112.

Applications will be available at Waipahu High School, and may be obtained in advance from the state ID Web site and at the state ID office. Priority will be given to applicants with completed forms and required documents.

Other state ID events scheduled will be held at these locations:

» Mililani High School Cafeteria, Aug. 9
» Kalihi Waena Elementary School Cafeteria, Sept. 6
» Mitchell Pauole Center, Kaunakakai, Oct. 25
» Kapolei High School Cafeteria, Nov. 15

US Senate OKs funds for state

The U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee has approved three funding measures that include nearly $244 million for Hawaii projects.

U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye said in a news release issued by his Washington office that the initiatives cover transportation, housing, energy, water and technology. The Democrat said he is especially pleased the Honolulu mass transit project would get $20 million.

Honolulu would also get $35 million to support and maintain its bus system. The funding would be used to purchase replacement buses and Handi-vans and to construct transit centers. Another appropriation would provide $10 million in native Hawaiian housing block grants.

Police, Fire, Courts Star-Bulletin staff

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HONOLULU

2 teens arrested in Liliha robbery

Police arrested two teenage boys Thursday for allegedly attacking and robbing another teenager.

At about 4:30 p.m. Thursday, a 16-year-old boy was walking home in Liliha when he was confronted by two other boys, ages 17 and 14. Police said the boys took a baseball cap and an iPod from the victim, and a struggle followed. One of the suspects allegedly punched and kicked the victim in the head. The suspects fled but were found later by police.

The two boys were arrested on suspicion of second-degree robbery.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Fireworks-related fires drop on Maui

Fireworks set off five Maui fires over the Fourth of July weekend, Maui County officials said. That is a 72 percent drop in fireworks-related fires compared with last year, when there were 18, said Maui Fire Department Capt. Val Martin.

Over the weekend, firefighters responded to 85 fires. No firework permits were sold this Fourth of July. Martin said light winds were a boon for firefighters battling blazes.

More DUI arrests made on Big Isle

In the first week of July, Big Island police arrested 24 motorists for suspicion of drunken driving, seven of whom were involved in a crash and five of whom were under 21, according to a Big Island county officials.

During the first half of the year, arrests for driving under the influence have gone up about 5 percent compared with the same time last year, from 682 to 714.

Deaths and major accidents have fallen in the same period. Traffic fatalities fell by three, to 14, while major crashes dropped from 1,088 to 937, by 14 percent.