Red Cross helps darkened condo

American Red Cross volunteers delivered meals, water and flashlights yesterday to residents of a 136-unit Ala Moana condominium who have been without power, and in some cases without water, since Wednesday because of an electrical fire.

Hawaiiana Management, which manages the 21-story Princess Leilani condo at 1561 Kanunu St., said it was working to repair electrical equipment.

A Hawaiian Electric spokesman said a crew had changed a transformer at the Princess Leilani apartments at 1561 Kanunu St. But when the power was restored, the building’s electrical equipment caught fire.

Many residents on upper floors were without water.

Red Cross volunteers distributed 60 cases of water and about 100 flashlights yesterday. Volunteers went door to door to determine whether residents had additional needs.

In addition, the Red Cross provided meals and snacks to residents. Crisis counselors and health services professionals also returned to the building yesterday.

Hawaiian Electric said power will be restored to the building once Hawaiiana Management completes its repairs.

Graffiti busters

Project CLEAN (Community Lokahi to Enrich our Aina Now) volunteers will head out to various streets including King, Kapiolani, Date, Kapahulu and in Kaimuki today from 8:30 to 11 a.m. The Honolulu Police Department and TAG (Totally Against Graffiti) will join forces with community partners, meeting at Prince Kuhio Elementary to gather supplies.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Debris, rain close 2 Maui shorelines

Maui County ocean safety officials have closed shoreline waters off Kamaole I and II beach parks in Kihei because of debris and rainwater flowing yesterday morning from a culvert at Kamaole II.

The water was dark and murky and could contain unsafe material for swimmers in the area, county officials said.

The strong water runoff and debris have also made a deep cut into the beach at Kamaole II, creating unsafe conditions, officials said.

Ocean safety officers will continue to monitor the area and assess the situation this morning.

Fees likely to go up at county stable

HILO » Fees at Hawaii County’s horse stable are expected to go up.

Panaewa Equestrian Center south of Hilo now charges $150 a year for each of its 60 horse stalls. That works out to about 10 percent of the $88,646 the Department of Parks and Recreation spends on operations.

Parks Director Bob Fitzgerald has proposed charging $500 a year, which would generate $30,000, the Hawaii Tribune-Herald reported.

Fitzgerald is also considering increasing the $10 monthly fee to $75, imposing a $100-per-stall deposit instead of the current $25 charge, and requiring full payment a year in advance rather than quarterly.

Fitzgerald says his mind is made up — fees must be raised.

Any increases would not take effect until next October.