Isles to be home port for sub Corpus Christi

The nuclear attack submarine USS City of Corpus Christi will shift from its home port in Guam late next year to Pearl Harbor, the Navy announced yesterday.

Rear Adm. Douglas McAneny, commander of the Pacific Fleet Submarine Force, also said the submarine tender USS Emory S. Land will leave the West Coast next spring and be stationed at Diego Garcia. The submarine tender will provide an expeditionary maintenance capability to the fast-attack and guided-missile submarines, particularly those operating in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility, which includes the Red Sea, Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman and parts of the Indian Ocean.

The City of Corpus Christi will be replaced by the Norfolk, Va.-based USS Oklahoma City.

“;Shifting home ports for USS Oklahoma City and USS City of Corpus Christi ensure that our most technologically advanced submarines are forward, so we maintain our ability to dominate the sea base and shape potential adversaries,”; McAneny said.

The Navy said the shift of home ports for the two submarines is not part of the overall military buildup on Guam.

The Navy plans to shift 60 percent of its submarines to the Pacific by the end of 2010. Currently, 31 of the U.S. Navy's 53 fast-attack submarines are home-ported in the Pacific, with 18 of those 31 home-ported in Pearl Harbor.

Makaha residents asked to cut water use

Residents from Honokai Hale near Kahe Point to Makaha are asked to conserve water while crews repair a water main break on Farrington Highway.

A private contractor accidentally damaged a 24-inch main at about 10:30 a.m. yesterday, according to the Board of Water Supply. The break forced officials to close both town-bound lanes of Farrington nearNanakuli Avenue, the Board of Water Supply said.

Police have set up contra-flow lanes on Farrington Highway because of the break.

One of the two Waianae-bound lanes is being used for town-bound traffic.

The Board of Water Supply said water in the area should be used for cooking, drinking and personal hygiene only. There was no word on how long it will take to fix the problem.

Library furlough days will start on Dec. 16

Public libraries will close for their first furlough day on Dec. 16, and then shut again for furlough days on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, as a result of budget cuts.

The statewide library system will take 15 furlough days between now and June 30. Another 15 furlough days will be taken in the next fiscal year, starting July 1, but that schedule has not yet been set.

Library administrative offices and public library branches will be closed on:

» Dec. 16, 24, 31

» Jan. 13, 27

» Feb. 3, 10

» March 5, 12, 19

» April 7, 14, 21

» May 5, 19

In addition, six public libraries that normally close on Fridays — Aiea, Hawaii Kai, Kaimuki, Liliha, Manoa and Makawao — will be closed on March 4, 11 and 18. For library hours, see hsblinks.com/1es.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Big Isle forums cover long-term plan for harbors

Big Island residents are invited to informational meetings on plans for Hilo and Kawaihae harbors.

The state Department of Transportation says the meetings concern updates to the Hawaii Commercial Harbors 2020 Master Plan through planning year 2035.

The plan will address demands for additional space and facilities at each harbor. At the meetings there will be presentations on cargo and passenger forecasts, and “;conceptual alternatives”; for the future of the harbors, according to a news release.

“;Public input is crucial in developing a long-term plan that will successfully continue to meet the needs of the community,”; said Michael Formby, DOT deputy director for harbors.

The first meeting will be Dec. 10 in Hilo at Auntie Sally Kaleohano's Luau Hale, 799 Piilani St.

The second meeting will be Dec. 14 in Kawaihae at Hamakua Macadamia Nut Factory, 61-3251 Maluokalani St.

Both meetings are scheduled from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.