City managing director resigns

The city's managing director has quit, allowing the mayor to possibly appoint a supporter who has expressed interest in the job.

State Rep. Kirk Caldwell, who helped Hannemann in a campaign to approve the city's $4 billion rail transit project, has said he is interested in the city's No. 2 position.

Caldwell returned to private law practice after he was disqualified from a run for City Council.

The managing director serves as acting mayor in the mayor's absence and oversees a $1 billion budget.

Managing Director Wayne Hashiro accepted a position as manager and chief engineer of the Honolulu Board of Water Supply. The board's directors announced his appointment yesterday, and Hashiro will assume his new role Friday.

“;Wayne is a goal-driven and visionary leader who brings extensive engineering and management know-how from his experiences in both the public and private sectors, here at home and abroad,”; said Randall Chung, board chairman, in a news release.

Hashiro has worked as an engineer and manager for more than 34 years in Hawaii, South Korea, Japan and Virginia.

“;I am honored to be provided the opportunity to lead an organization whose mission is vital to the well-being of our community,”; Hashiro said in a written statement.

Shoreline to be closed to fishing

The Waikiki-to-Diamond Head shoreline will be closed off to fishing the entire year of 2009.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources will close the Waikiki-Diamond Head Shoreline Fisheries Management Area from tomorrow through Dec. 31, 2009.

“;The shoreline and near-shore waters between the Natatorium and the Diamond Head Lighthouse are very popular with residents, visitors and fishers,”; said Laura Thielen, DLNR director. “;Every odd-numbered year, we close this area to fishing to allow near-shore marine life populations to replenish.”;

The area runs from near-shore waters between the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium's Ewa wall and the Diamond Head Lighthouse, and from the high-water mark on shore to a minimum seaward distance of 500 yards, or to the edge of the fringing reef if one occurs beyond 500 yards.

A department administrative rule prohibits fishing for, taking or injuring any marine life (including eggs) or possessing in the water any fishing gear during the closed-to-fishing period.

Fishing is also not allowed at any time in the adjoining Waikiki Marine Life Conservation District between the Ewa edge of the Natatorium and the Ewa edge of the Kapahulu groin (seawall).

Violators may be found guilty of a petty misdemeanor and subject to an administrative fine.

Copies of the administrative rule, Chapter 13-48, are available at the Division of Aquatic Resources office, 1151 Punchbowl St., Room 330; in the Hawaii Fishing Regulations booklet (available at sporting goods stores); or on the DLNR Web site, www.hawaii.gov/dlnr/dar.