There might be increased air traffic and noise over the Ewa plain late at night over the next several days because planes will not be able to use one of Honolulu Airport’s runways, which will be closed for maintenance.
Runway 4R-22L will be closed for nightly airfield maintenance from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. beginning today and wrapping up Saturday morning.
During this time, flight patterns will be altered to use other operational runways.
Planting guide available online
The Maui County Arborist Committee says the new Maui County Planting Plan is now available online and provides a guide on how to choose and care for trees and other plants.
County officials said the plan can be viewed online at mauicounty.gov/Boards; scroll down to Maui County Arborist Committee.
The 2016 edition was produced by nationally recognized arborist Ernest Re- zents, officials said.
The 243-page plan defines which trees, turf, ground covers and other plantings will thrive in specific areas of Maui, encourages the use of native plants and identifies and discourages the use of invasive species.
For more information on the Maui County Planting Plan or the Arborist Committee, call Sue Kiang, volunteer action coordinator for the Department of Parks and Recreation, 984-4051.
Towing of cars tied to fewer road deaths
Hawaii island has seen a decrease in traffic fatalities since the implementation of a county ordinance that permits the towing of vehicles driven by those driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
There were 38 traffic deaths on the island in 2012, when Aliyah’s Law went into effect. That figure fell to 25 in 2013 and 11 in 2014. There were 19 fatalities last year, and 10 have been counted so far this year, the Hawaii Tribune-Herald reported Monday.
The law is named after 17-month-old Aliyah Braden, who was killed after a drunken driver crashed into a car driven by the girl’s mother in 2009. It targets the vehicles of DUI drivers as well as motorists without a driver’s license and with fraudulent license plates. In all, police have ordered 2,168 vehicles towed since 2012.
Kona had the most DUI arrests on Hawaii island between January 2012 and May 29, with 2,157 arrests. Hilo had the second most with 1,815 arrests, followed by Puna with 867 and South Kohala with 444.
The state Legislature has passed a bill that would allow officers across Hawaii to order a vehicle towed on a DUI arrest “provided that the arresting officer has reason to believe the arrested person is likely to return to the vehicle and continue to drive under the influence of an intoxicant after being released from custody.” Gov. David Ige has not yet signed the legislation into law.
