No more drought in Upcountry Maui

Maui County has canceled a drought declaration for Upcountry Maui that called for farmers and residents to reduce water use by 5 percent, a county news release said.

The drought declaration was issued in May.

A voluntary request for a 10 percent reduction in water use continues for the Central Maui Water System.

The drought in the central areas of Kahului, Wailuku, Waihee, Maalaea, Paia/Kuau, Puunene, Kihei, Wailea and Makena was declared in August 2007.

Residents there have met conservation goals, but the Board of Water Supply recommended keeping the voluntary reduction request to encourage water conservation.

Land will improve Haleakala access

Haleakala National Park plans to create a gateway to its Kipahulu location on 34 acres recently donated by the Nature Conservancy.

The land was donated to the conservancy by the Estate of Cordelia May.

“;We owe a debt of gratitude to Cordelia May and to Nature Conservancy for the donation of this land,”; Park Superintendent M. Sarah Creachbaum said. “;With it, we will greatly improve access to the park.”;

Park officials said the parcel will protect access to upland parts of that park that educate the public about traditional cultural practices and also provide a place where vehicles can pull off the coastal highway.

FEMA storm aid to cover job losses

Oahu residents who lost work due to the flooding in December could qualify for help under the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) disaster unemployment assistance program.

FEMA approved the assistance to the City and County of Honolulu, state labor officials said Friday.

Individuals who might qualify include those who lost their jobs due to the severe storms and flooding, and individuals who were unable to reach their job or self-employment location because they had to travel through an affected area and were prevented from doing so by the disaster.

Others include those who were to start employment but were unable to do so and individuals who cannot work in self-employment because of an injury caused as a direct result of the disaster.

The assistance also applies to a person who became a major provider of a household because of the death of the head of a household due to the disaster.

The filing deadline is April 20.

Applicants are being handled through the Hawaii Tele-Claim system, 643-5555, or by visiting the state unemployment claims office.

Claimants are asked to bring a picture identification or document showing their Social Security number, federal income tax return for 2007 or W2s, Form 1099s, pay stubs and profit/loss statements, as evidence of calendar year 2007 income.

Nebraska street named for Marine

LINCOLN, Neb. » The Lincoln City Council is renaming a city street after a Kaneohe Marine who was killed in Iraq in 2006.

A ceremony to rededicate the street is planned for next Sunday.

The council approved changing the name of West Stanton Street, west of Northwest 48th Street, to Mike Scholl Street earlier this month.

Lance Cpl. Scholl grew up in that area of Lincoln. He went on to graduate from Lincoln High School in 2002.

He died of injuries caused by a roadside bomb in Al Anbar province in Iraq on Nov. 14, 2006. The 21-year-old was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Kaneohe Bay.