$39M to fund cesspool repairs

The state has released more than $39 million to complete the closure and conversion of cesspools at public schools statewide to comply with a federal environmental law.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, under the Clean Water Act, had originally required the state Education Department to shut down 320 large-capacity cesspools at 60 campuses by April 2005 or pay daily federal penalties of up to $32,500 per cesspool. But a deal with the EPA has postponed the deadline until Sept. 30, 2009. The funds being released will go toward cesspool work at the last 29 campuses that need to be addressed, Gov. Linda Lingle announced Thursday. The total project cost is $78,199,045.

Cesspools discharge untreated sewage into the ground, posing health risks and contaminating groundwater, streams and the ocean, according to the EPA.

Trail work to close Diamond Head

The state will close access to the summit of Diamond Head for a month to do maintenance work on the deteriorating trail, which attracts more than 600,000 visitors and residents annually.

The park area inside the crater will remain open to visitors except for one week of the maintenance period that begins Oct. 20.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources will clear potential rockfall hazards above the Kahala Tunnel entrance between Nov. 13 and 20. The entire park will be closed that week because of safety concerns during the project, according to an announcement.

The work is the first phase of the state's planned upgrade of the Diamond Head State Monument. Future work will include construction of safer stairways and wider walkways and expanded trail, as well as slope stabilization and rockfall mitigation measure.

Vog haze in Big Island's forecast

State health officials yesterday warned Big Island communities north and east of the Kilauea summit that a predicted change in wind patterns may bring heavy volcano haze this weekend.

The alert from the state Department of Health and the Hawaii County Civil Defense said a shift from tradewinds to southwesterly kona winds may bring smoke from the active volcano to Volcano, Puna, Hilo, Hamakua and South Kohala. The vog may spread to other islands, according to state officials.

During vog conditions, people are advised to reduce outdoor activities that cause heavy breathing, stay indoors and drink fluids to avoid dehydration.

Loans available for flood victims

Farmers who suffered damage to their properties because of storms and flooding last November and December may qualify for low-interest federal loans.

The application deadline is Oct. 6 for the 3.75 per cent interest loan program issued by the U.S Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency.

Call 541-2600, extension 353 for information on the hours and locations of FSA offices or visit www.fsa.usda.gov.