State fines Mehana Brewing Co.

The state Department of Health fined a Hilo beer brewery $4,340 for late payments and late reporting of beverage container fees and deposits, the Health Department said in a news release.

Mehana Brewing Company has already paid the fine, the state said.

This is the second time the brewery was fined for a violation of the state's bottle deposit law. In 2006 the company paid $1,479 for a similar violation.

Hawaii law requires deposit beverage distributors to submit monthly reports and payments of container fees and deposit amounts.

HECO work will slow down traffic

Utility work is expected to slow traffic on the H-1 freeway and Middle Street at the mauka end of the viaduct tomorrow, Hawaiian Electric Co. said in a news release.

Signs cones and special duty police officers will be used to keep traffic flowing through the work area. The speed limit will be reduced in the area from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Maui backs off irrigation rules

WAILUKU » The Maui County Council bowed to complaints from Maui's largest resorts, hotels and golf courses to a proposal that would restrict outdoor irrigation to preserve water.

The proposed Maui County ordinance would have limited businesses and homeowners from watering their lawns with traditional sprinkler systems to three days a week.

Resort operators say the restrictions would turn their lawns brown and wilt tropical plants and flowers that attract tourists.

Councilwoman Michelle Anderson says limiting outdoor irrigation is one of the most effective ways to mitigate the island's water shortage crisis.

But the Maui County Council voted Friday to recommit the proposed ordinance after hearing the business community's concerns.