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DLNR looking to pump sand onto Kuhio beach
The Department of Land & Natural Resources is seeking a firm to pump up to 10,000 yards of offshore sand to replenish Kuhio Beach this spring.The proposed project would temporarily restore eroded beach at Kuhio and Waikiki beaches and demonstrate offshore sand-pumping technology for future restoration efforts.
"This is the beginning of a major effort to make improvements to one of the world's most famous beaches," said Peter Young, department director. "Waikiki is one of the gems of Hawaii, and we are looking forward to a more beautiful and more stable beach in the near future."
The department's budget request to the Legislature this year asks for $2.4 million for Kuhio Beach improvements in Waikiki.
Kuhio Beach has had sand added numerous times in the past, but the last regular nourishment was in 1975, the department said.
The department proposes that sand underwater offshore be "recycled" to the beach.
Requests for Proposals can be obtained from the department by contacting Sam Lemmo, 587-0381 or sam_j_lemmo@hawaii.gov. The proposals are due by Feb. 10.
Smoking ban begins Feb. 1 on Big Island
HILO >> A smoking ban that will outlaw lighting up at many Big Island restaurants and other establishments will take effect Feb. 1.The legislation passed in July by the Hawaii County Council is actually a watered-down version of a smoking ban that would have been the most restrictive in the state.
The original version of the measure would have banned smoking in nearly all public places, though the bill approved on final reading includes exemptions for bars and nightclubs.
Still, the ban will affect all matter of places from hotels and banks to elevators and bathrooms -- if they are not already designated nonsmoking.
The most notable change will be at restaurants, which must convert to nonsmoking establishments Feb. 1 unless they contain bar areas, where smoking will be permitted for the next six months.
Under the bill, business owners who want to continue to allow smoking after Sept. 1 must separate their smoking and nonsmoking areas not only with solid walls between them, but with entrances at least 15 feet away from each other.
"It's essentially forcing you to have separate establishments," said Bobby Jean Leithead-Todd, who first proposed the Hawaii County smoking ban in September 2002 and is now interpreting the ordinance as deputy corporation counsel.
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