Report says shipping isle waste OK

KAILUA-KONA » A government report has determined that sending trash from the Big Island to the West Coast wouldn't cause a significant environmental impact.

Environmental Management Director Lono Tyson says baling and barging solid waste is possible, but it's unlikely Hawaii County will pursue that option.

He says the county may export its trash on a short-term basis if no other solid-waste solution is in place when a county landfill is eventually closed.

The environmental assessment released earlier this month found that the plan to ship the trash to Honolulu and then to a site on the West Coast didn't require a full environmental impact statement.

Oahu is moving forward with its own plans to move its trash out of the islands.

New Big Isle prison program opens

HILO » The state opened a new program building at Hale Nani Correctional Facility south of Hilo intended to ease inmates' re-entry into society.

The state Department of Public Safety has long had programs to deal with problems such as alcoholism or to teach trades.

But it has not had a program specifically designed to help low-skilled inmates reintegrate into society.

“;This is a beginning. We haven't had classes for re-entry,”; said Ruth Forbes, Hale Nani coordinator for the new “;Start”; program, standing for Successful Transition and Re-entry Together.

The new building is small, 1,400 square feet, the size of a modest home. It was built by inmates from Kulani Correctional Facility with $200,000 from the Legislature.

Hale Nani inmate June Isaacson, now on furlough studying human services at Hawaii Community College, explained the difficulty of trying to learn life skills without a program building.

Inmates were “;locked down”; up to 23 hours per day, she said.

When they had classes, they were conducted at a picnic table. When it rained, the classes were canceled. There was no video equipment.

“;This will offer us a lot more opportunity,”; she said.

Signs to warn of wastewater spill

Warning signs will be posted along Nuuanu Stream and Honolulu Harbor after a wastewater spill at 254 Beretania St. near Aala Park, the state Department of Health, Clean Water Branch said in a news release.

About 250 gallons of wastewater entered a storm drain that drains into the stream and harbor, the news release said.

Dell has settlement with Hawaii

SEATTLE » Dell Inc. has agreed to a legal settlement with Hawaii and other states that claimed the computer company made misleading financing and service offers to PC buyers.

Dell said last week it will pay $3.85 million to at least 46 states participating in the settlement. A portion of the money will be used to reimburse states for legal costs.