North-South Road opens Monday

The North-South Road Interchange will open to traffic at noon Monday following a blessing ceremony, the state Department of Transportation announced yesterday.

The interchange will provide on- and offramps between Kunia and Kapolei, connecting to the northernmost segment of North-South Road, according to the Transportation Department.

North-South Road will connect the H-1 freeway with Farrington Highway, and the interchange is the second of three phases of the project to be completed.

Transportation officials ask motorists to use caution while familiarizing themselves with the new traffic patterns.

$9.6M in green funding for isles

Hawaii is receiving $9.6 million in federal funds to lower energy use, reduce carbon pollution and create green jobs in the islands, according to a news release from U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye.

The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Energy's Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program.

The funds will help workers install photovoltaic solar energy systems, solar water heaters, insulation and energy- efficient light fixtures in state office buildings in Honolulu.

Hawaii will focus on bringing the state's existing buildings up to the standards of Energy Star, a national program that recognizes buildings in the top 25 percent of building performance.

Mental Health Kokua service praised

Mental Health Kokua received its fifth three-year CARF International Accreditation, passing an in-depth review with a perfect score, Greg Payton, chief executive officer, said.

The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities International Accreditation recognizes the nonprofit agency's high standards of care and services, Payton said.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Maui records its 15th traffic death of 2009

A 20-year-old man from Waihee, Maui, was killed Wednesday in a one-car crash which also injured two of his passengers, police said.

The victim is Nailima Kana, and the two passengers, 20 and 17, were in critical condition last night at Maui Memorial Medical Center. The two passengers are also from Waihee, according to Maui police.

The accident occurred shortly after 10:30 p.m. on Kahekili Highway, about a half-mile north of Wilipohaku Street in Waihee. The 20-year-old passenger was sitting in the front seat while the 17-year-old boy was sitting in the rear.

Police said Kana was driving a 2004 Mazda sedan north when he crossed the center line, returned to the northbound lane and then drove off the road. The car hit an embankment and overturned, stopping against a tree.

Police said the trio were wearing their seat belts and that speed is suspected as a contributing factor in the crash.

The death was Maui County's 15th traffic fatality of the year, compared with 14 at this time last year.