Hawaii receives adoption funds

Hawaii has been awarded $204,000 in federal funds for increasing the number of children adopted from foster care.

The money is part of $35 million distributed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services yesterday to 38 states and Puerto Rico.

States use the funds from the adoption incentive award to enhance their programs for abused and neglected children.

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said in a news release that she congratulated the states that performed so well this year. She also thanked the parents who are providing homes.

Adoption incentives were revamped last year to provide stronger incentives for states to redouble their efforts to find adoptive homes for children — particularly older children and those with special needs.

Electronic recycling a Kauai success

Kauai County is calling its electronic waste recycling drive a success after 67 tons of electronics was turned in.

The waste products, which would normally have gone to the Kekaha Landfill, were instead sent to E-World Recyclers of California where they will be dismantled and their components recycled, according to a news release.

The county said nearly 600 residents and 160 businesses brought assorted electronic items to the event held Sept. 4 and 5.

The county contracted Recycle Hawaii, a Big Island nonprofit, to manage the event and ship the products to the mainland.

For more information on recycling electronics, visit www.kauai.gov/recycling or call 241-4837.

61 jellyfish stings reported at Waikiki

Sixty-one jellyfish stings were reported at Waikiki Beach yesterday, according to Bryan Cheplic of the Emergency Services Department.

All the stings were treated by lifeguards, and no one needed further treatment, Cheplic said.

Some 363 box jellyfish were found at Waikiki yesterday, he said. Lifeguards posted warning signs at Waikiki Beach, Makaha Beach and Hanauma Bay, according to the city Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Services Division.

No jellyfish were reported at Ala Moana Beach Park.

The jellyfish usually come to near-shore waters about 10 days after a full moon. Today is expected to be the last day of this influx.

Anyone stung by box jellyfish should flush the sting area with copious amounts of white vinegar, city officials say.

Anyone experiencing breathing difficulty, muscle cramps/spasms or persistent pain should seek immediate medical attention, they advise.

For more information regarding ocean conditions, advisories and warnings, call 922-3888, ext. 51, or visit http://www.hawaiibeachsafety.org.

2 companies are fined for chemical violations

Two companies settled with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency after they failed to submit inventory information to emergency responders.

Both Roberts Hawaii and Love's Bakery Inc. failed to submit complete annual chemical inventories, which is a violation of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act.

Roberts Hawaii was assessed three penalties totaling $6,000 for its sites in Honolulu, Kailua and Keaau, and Love's Bakery was fined $2,000.

The businesses failed to submit the information specifically to local emergency planners.

According to officials, companies that store levels of hazardous chemicals or extremely hazardous substances above certain quantities are required to submit a list of those chemicals annually.

The tour bus company stores diesel, and the bakery stores diesel and propane.

The businesses were ordered to correct the violations.