Cultural junk vessel docks in isles

A replica 14th-century Chinese war junk vessel is docked at the Ala Wai Harbor and will soon be open for the public to climb aboard.

The 54-foot Princess Taiping sailed thousands of miles from China to Taiwan, Japan, and then the West Coast. For its return voyage, it sailed to Honolulu from San Diego, arriving yesterday morning.

It will be here for a month.

The vessel is sailing to highlight the technical achievements of Chinese seafaring history and the Ming Dynasty, when Admiral Zheng He voyaged to the Indian Ocean.

The tour is also trying to keep alive the craftsmanship of the junk, said David Hoe, president of the China Sea Voyaging Society.

Hoe noted similarities between the vessel's cultural importance to Chinese seafaring and the Hokuleia's importance to Hawaiian voyaging traditions.

The eight-person crew plans to hold daily visitation hours, which have not been set yet.

The floating museum exhibit was part of the maritime museum in San Francisco and San Diego.

“;This actually is an event that has historical importance, international importance, and it's a piece of art,”; said Hoe, who owns his own junk boat.

Diamond Head Road cleaned up

Diamond Head Road was closed again yesterday as crew removed debris that fell onto the road in a Friday rock slide.

The road was closed to through traffic at 8 a.m. and expected to reopen last night, a Department of Land and Natural Resource news release said.

On Friday, police shut down the road in both directions after a rock slide at about 5 p.m. It was reopened Saturday at about 5:50 p.m.

State crews cleaned up debris yesterday from other rockfalls not reported. Jersey barriers will be placed along the road until the danger has been removed.

Companies fined for waste issues

The state Department of Health fined two companies $19,800 recently for allegedly operating without a permit and improperly disposing of solid waste.

West Coast Towing, Inc. accepted and stored waste vehicles, removed fluids and parts, and compressed vehicles without a permit at a solid waste management facility in Kailua-Kona, a Health Department news release said. Despite a March warning letter, it allegedly continued to operate without a permit.

Leeward Auto Wreckers Inc./Albert's Towing in Kapolei improperly disposed of waste tires and operated an unpermitted solid waste management system, the release said. The company allegedly failed to correct the violations following a warning letter in June.

Both companies, which also were ordered to correct the violations in addition to the fines, can contest the findings.