18 to be promoted

Eighteen firefighters will be promoted to firefighter III in a ceremony today at 9 a.m. Honolulu Fire Chief Kenneth Silva will lead the ceremony at the department’s training center at 890 Valkenburgh St. Parking is available at the rear of the building.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Fire stations, parks plan voted down

HILO » A Hawaii County Council committee has voted against a proposal to require developers to provide recreation and firefighting facilities as a condition of rezoning.

The Planning Committee vote Monday was 5-2, West Hawaii Today reported.

The full Council will take up the measure Oct. 6.

The bill introduced by Kohala Councilman Pete Hoffman would help set up parks and fire stations in areas, such as Puna and Kau, that have seen rapid population growth.

The measure was first considered in April. Hoffman says it was subsequently postponed three times, in part, because of apparent opposition from developers.