Humpback spotted off Maui

MAALAEA, Maui » Endangered humpback whales are returning to Maui.

A solitary humpback was seen two miles off Kaanapali, Maui, on Thursday, the Pacific Whale Foundation said yesterday.

Capt. “;CJ”; Clint Kostak of the Ocean Quest took a photograph of the humpback whale about 1 p.m. as a snorkel cruise returned from Lanai to Maui.

The first humpback whale sighting of the season off Maui's coast was reported Wednesday by Lanai Expeditions Passenger Ferry.

The foundation said there were also earlier reports of whale sightings off the Big Island.

“;Many people think this is early for the first whale sighting, but that's not really the case,”; said foundation President Greg Kaufman.

“;This is the third year in a row that we've had the first sighting of the season during this time in October.”;

In the past 10 years, seven of the first sightings occurred in October, according to the foundation.

Mass-notice system on Big Isle

HILO » Hawaii County has begun using a public emergency notification system that can make large numbers of semi-automated phone advisories and send out e-mail warnings in times of need.

The “;City Watch”; system will be used in addition to traditional radio broadcasts.

County Civil Defense Director Quince Mento, in charge of the system, said an example of how it can work is a brush fire threatening a community.

On a computer screen, Mento can place a box around any area on a map of the Big Island, and the system can then notify everyone within that boundary about the fire by phone and e-mail, carrying a message which Mento has prepared in advance.

Mento already has used the system to alert resort safety personnel about shark sightings in West Hawaii waters.

Any listed telephone number can be called. People wishing to be notified who have unlisted numbers, are on the National Do Not Call Registry, or who want to be contacted on their cell phone or by e-mail should register with Civil Defense.

The registration page is www.citywatchonline.com/CSBSignUp/HawaiiSignUp.asp

The system was purchased by state Civil Defense and given to the county as a free pilot project. After a trial period, the county will pay $40,000 per year for the system.

Summer Palace to get sewer fix

Sewer improvements will begin Monday at the Queen Emma Summer Palace in Nuuanu Valley, but the palace will remain open to the public.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources will close the palace's large capacity cesspool, and a new sewage pump station and force main will be installed to connect with the city's sewer system.

The project will cost about $172,000 and is expected to be completed by the end of December.

The Summer Palace's restrooms will remain open to the public until the time of the sewer hook-up, according to the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Mega Construction will excavate the open field on the property as well as excavate and trench a section of Nuuanu Valley Park parking lot and Puiwa Road to connect the sewer line.

The accessible restroom at the Summer Palace and a section of the park's parking lot also will be closed, which will affect tour buses' ability to turn around.

The contractor will take steps to protect the trees and cultural resources in the area, as well as a historic auwai (irrigation ditch) that runs through the palace grounds.

Meeting to help build homes

Families who have land and need help to build a home are invited to attend a meeting sponsored by Habitat for Humanity Leeward Oahu in Ewa Beach on Wednesday.

The nonprofit group helps low-income families who would not qualify for a traditional mortgage build simple, affordable homes. The meeting will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Ewa Beach.

Families with a steady income that is 50 percent or less than the median in the area, and who are willing to put in 500 hours of “;sweat equity”; or volunteer labor, may be eligible for assistance. Call Habitat for Humanity Leeward Oahu office at 696-7882 or visit www.leewardhabitat.org for more information.