Highway work to start in Hawaii Kai

The state Highways Division was to begin work today on a project it hopes will relieve traffic congestion near Hawaii Kai Towne Center, especially on the weekends.

Lanes will be closed and traffic detoured during the project.

Contractors of Henry’s Equipment Rental & Sales Inc. will extend the third westbound lane of Kalanianaole Highway from Hawaii Kai Drive to Keahole Street. The extended lane will provide more traffic flow from the busy Keahole Street intersection and a safer merge for motorists entering Kalanianaole Highway from Keahole Street.

The project, costing $1.84 million, is expected to be completed by March. Information on lane closings will be posted on the Department of Transportation’s website at Hawaii.gov/dot/highways/roadwork/oahu.

Highway work to start in Hawaii Kai

On the second day of an expected four-day box jellyfish influx, the beaches along Waikiki registered the highest count yesterday, with lifeguards reporting 400 and 112 swimmers saying they were stung.

Makaha reported 30 stings; Waimea Bay, 20; and Ala Moana, six.

People who are stung are advised to flush the stings with white vinegar.

Those allergic to the stings might have trouble breathing, muscle cramps and persistent pain and should seek immediate medical attention, according to a city Ocean Safety advisory.

The influx of box jellyfish occurs from eight to 10 days after a full moon.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

NTSB report details pilot’s takeoff woes

A student helicopter pilot ran into trouble while attempting to take off on his second solo helicopter flight last month at the Kailua-Kona airport.

The National Transportation Safety Board, in an accident report Friday, said the student’s flight instructor reported that the pilot applied too much left anti-torque pedal, causing the helicopter to slide to the left as it took off from the landing pad during the May 25 incident.

The aircraft was owned by Hawaii Pacific Aviation.

The flight instructor said the helicopter spun to its left three times with its skids still on the landing pad.

The helicopter then rose about two feet and spun to the left three more times. The student pilot then tried to reduce the pitch angle of the rotor blade, but the helicopter’s right skids hit the ground and the craft rolled over on its right side.

The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the cabin and tail.

The student pilot was not hurt.