Smoke forces isle-bound flight to turn back

A United Airlines flight has arrived safely back at Los Angeles Airport after smoke was reported in the cockpit and cabin during a flight to Hawaii.

Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor said United Flight 1296 landed without incident at 11:38 a.m. Saturday, about three hours after it took off.

The Boeing 757 was headed for Kona Airport with about 150 people on board when smoke was reported by crew members. United spokesman Charles Hobart said nobody was hurt.

Hobart says passengers will be transferred to other flights and the aircraft will undergo a thorough inspection by maintenance crews.

3 rare corpse plants are expected to bloom

Three more of the rare corpse plants at the city’s Foster Botanical Garden are expected to bloom over the next several days, city officials said.

Formally called the Amorphophallus titanium, the corpse plants are best known for their distinctively malodorous smell, which has been compared to that of rotting flesh. The short-lived flowers, which bloom once every three to five years, have drawn crowds to the Honolulu facility, home to 10 of the plants.

Another corpse plant, which city officials deemed "Mr. Stinky," bloomed several weeks ago.

Now, one flower is expected to bloom over the weekend and two others next week, city officials said.

The garden will have extended hours from Sunday to Tuesday, staying open until 6 p.m. to give the public additional viewing time. The facility normally is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Foster Botanical Garden is located at 50 N. Vineyard Blvd. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for youths 6 to 12, and free for those 5 and under.

Call 522-7066 for information.