Emergency sirens get monthly testing today

The monthly siren warning system will sound at 11:45 a.m. today.

The siren test is normally held on the first day of every month. The public will hear a steady 45-second tone that is used to alert residents and visitors of a potential threat to the islands.

The test is done with the live broadcast test of the emergency alert system. Information on civil defense preparedness is in the front section of the telephone directories' white pages.

Kubo among nominees for Circuit Court judge

Outgoing U.S. Attorney Edward Kubo Jr. is among six nominees to fill a vacancy on the Oahu Circuit Court bench.

The state Judicial Selection Commission also nominated current Honolulu district Judges Colette Garibaldi and Edwin Nacino; Honolulu Family Court Judge Bode Uale; former Honolulu District Judge Steven Nakashima; and Dean Ochiai, vice president and managing attorney of First Insurance Co. of Hawaii.

The commission forwarded the list to Gov. Linda Lingle on Tuesday. She has 30 days to make her selection.

People who wish to submit public comment on the nominees should do so by the close of business Oct. 14. They can send comments by e-mail to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or by fax at 586-0006.

The vacancy was created by the retirement of Judge Karen Blondin.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Renovated Hulihee Palace reopens doors

KAILUA-KONA » The Big Island's Hulihee Palace has reopened to visitors, nearly three years after it was damaged by devastating earthquakes.

The 170-year-old palace on the shores of Kailua Bay suffered severe structural damage when two temblors struck Oct. 15, 2006, off the coast.

A blessing ceremony Tuesday marked the end of renovations, which cost more than $1.5 million and included fixing cracked walls, replastering walls and reattaching the gables, which secure the roof.

The palace also boasts fresh paint, new landscaping and an expanded Palace Gift Shop.

“;Today is a very, very special day,”; said palace administrator Fanny Au Hoy. “;I had tears today. The energy is brighter. It's a new beginning.”;

Following a traditional blessing by Kumu Keala Ching, the palace reopened its doors to visitors.

More than 1,000 artifacts are displayed at the palace, including javelins and spears belonging to King Kamehameha the Great and numerous portraits of monarchs.