Pacific quakes pose no threat to isles

Two strong quakes in the Solomon Islands yesterday afternoon generated no alerts for destructive waves in Hawaii, according to the Ewa Beach-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.

A 7.2-magnitude quake rattled the Solomons in the western Pacific around 12:36 p.m. Hawaii time.

The warning center said sea level readings indicated a localized tsunami was generated, and warned that danger to boats and coastal structures could continue for hours after the quake. But there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.

About 48 minutes earlier the same area generated a 6.5-magnitude quake, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The epicenters were 185 to 190 miles west-northwest of Honiara, Guadalcanal, the USGS said. That is 3,550 miles southwest of Hawaii.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

2 rescued from Kauai's Na Pali Coast

Kauai firefighters aboard private helicopters airlifted two people injured in separate incidents from remote Kalalau Valley yesterday.

A female camper was airlifted from the valley yesterday morning after falling approximately 100 feet at the north end of Kalalau Beach, a Kauai County spokeswoman said. The extent of her injuries were unknown.

The incident was reported to Police Dispatch at around 8:39 a.m. by an Island Helicopters Kauai Inc. pilot who was signaled by campers while he was flying in the area.

Three rescue specialists from the Lihue fire station responded in a helicopter piloted by Airborne Aviation.

The crew landed north of the Kalalau stream and found the victim being tended to by two campers.

The woman was taken to Princeville Airport, where awaiting medics transported her to Wilcox Hospital.

The second incident involved a 55-year-old Seattle visitor who hurt his ankle while hiking in Hanakapiai Valley.

The man's son hiked out and drove to Ching Young Village to call for help, saying his father severely injured his ankle and was unable to walk out, said Mary Daubert, county spokeswoman.

Firefighters boarded an Airborne Aviation helicopter and picked up the hiker at Kalalau Valley, then flew him to Princeville, where he was checked by medics and released.

Maui Council and mayoral races heat up

Maui can expect not only a political battle for the mayor's seat this year, but also some hot races for the County Council.

The Maui News reported yesterday that former Mayor Alan Arakawa remains intent on challenging incumbent Charmaine Tavares, who unseated him in November 2006 after a single term.

Two Council seats will be wide open because Jo Anne Johnson and Mike Molina face term limits after each spending five consecutive terms, or 10 years, on the Council.

Veteran Councilmember Sol Kaho'ohalahala, who represents Lanai, is dogged by a residency controversy that could complicate his re-election campaign. Former Council Chairman Riki Hokama pledged he would reclaim the Lanai seat when he stepped down in 2008 due to term limits.

And former Arakawa adviser Don Couch, who lost to Wayne Nishiki in 2008 by just 3.9 percentage points, is having another go at it, the newspaper said.