Kauai park closed by rain damage

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources is closing Polihale State Park on Kauai indefinitely until major repairs can be made to areas damaged by heavy rain.

The washed-out roads have resulted in dangerous conditions.

The park's main entrance road, including a bridge, were heavily damaged last month.

The park's water system and restrooms also sustained damage and do not work.

No camping permits will be issued until further notice, and the area will remain closed to the public until the repairs are done, the DLNR announced yesterday.

Water shortage alert is canceled

The Honolulu Board of Water Supply has canceled a 4-month-old call for voluntary water conservation in Windward Oahu.

The need for conservation was due in part to a lack of spring rainfall.

On Aug. 31 the board asked Windward Oahu water users to reduce water use by 10 percent.

Dean Nakano, the board's deputy manager and chief engineer, said by practicing conservation measures, residents averted mandatory water restrictions, allowing the water supply to last through an unusually dry period.

Nakano said with conservation efforts and recent rainfall, the amount of pumped water has been reduced.

Private jet traffic decreases

KAILUA-KONA » The recession is pinching those who fly private jets.

Last month, 138 exclusive personal planes landed at Kona International Airport on the Big Island—down 18 percent from December 2007.

But the economic doldrums have not stopped all rich people from returning to West Hawaii for the golf and sun.

Chauncey Wong Yuen, Hawaii District manager for the state Department of Transportation's Airports Division, said there were 51 private planes at the Kona airport on Monday.

The airport can accommodate up to 61 private planes at a time. Parking and landing fees are calculated based on plane size.

The annual private jet pilgrimage to Kona usually begins in November and lasts until New Year's. The passengers stay on the Big Island for an average of two to five days.

Fireworks calls to police off slightly

From Dec. 26 through yesterday, there were 1,361 fireworks-related calls for police service on Oahu. Last year during the same time period, there were 1,566 calls.

Police also issued citations to five adults and nine juveniles for setting off fireworks in prohibited areas.

Bryan Clay to promote education

Hawaii Olympic gold medalist Bryan Clay is promoting college and career readiness.

Clay will be featured in the this year's media campaign for Hawaii P-20 Partnerships for Education, a partnership between the Good Beginnings Alliance, Department of Education and University of Hawaii System. Clay, a graduate of Castle High School and Azusa Pacific University, won gold in the decathlon during the Beijing Olympics.

“;Bryan Clay's remarkable accomplishments, his talent and drive make him the perfect role model for Hawaii's teens,”; said Tammy Oyadomari-Chun, Hawaii P-20's executive director, in a written news release.

Clay is contributing his time for this effort because of his strong belief in post-secondary education, she said.

The campaign is sponsored by GEAR UP Hawaii and its partners, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Learning Coalition and the University of Hawaii Federal Credit Union.