No trash pickup

The city reminds residents that trash will not be picked up on New Year’s Day. Households that use gray carts for once-a-week trash pickup on Saturday should leave the carts at the curb to be collected on Monday or Tuesday. Households with twice-a-week trash pickup should hold their trash until the next scheduled day. There will be no pickup of recyclables tomorrow.

Main break disrupts traffic, water use

A water main break in Haleiwa yesterday afternoon closed Kamehameha Highway in both directions overnight, and North Shore residents were being asked to conserve water.

Kurt Tsue, a spokesman for the Board of Water Supply, said crews had cleared debris by early evening but that work on the pipe would likely continue until this morning.

The 16-inch main supplies water to reservoirs on the North Shore, and the board was asking residents from Haleiwa to Turtle Bay to use water only for cooking, drinking and personal hygiene, he said.

The repair of the main break near the Surf N Sea shop in Haleiwa closed Kamehameha Highway in both directions at Lokoea Place. Drivers are advised to avoid the area and to use Joseph P. Leong Highway until the road is cleared. Honolulu police officers were at the scene to direct traffic.

Two businesses were left without water and closed for the day.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Kokubun resigns state Senate post

Russell Kokubun of Hilo has formally resigned his state Senate seat to become state agriculture director.

The Cabinet post requires Senate confirmation.

Kokubun submitted his resignation Tuesday.

Among those who have expressed interest in succeeding Kokubun are state Rep. Faye Hanohano of Puna and former County Council Chairman Gary Safarik.

Big Island Democratic leaders will submit a list of three nominees for the office, from which Gov. Neil Abercrombie will choose a replacement.

Forest reserve stays closed with drought

The state says it will continue to close off the Mauna Kea Forest Reserve and Kaohe Game Management Area through the end of February because of drought.

The area received some rain over the last few weeks, but Division of Forestry and Wildlife Hawaii Branch Manager Roger Imoto says there are still extreme fire hazards because the vegetation is so dry.

The state closed the Mauna Kea Forest Reserve in June because of the drought. This is the third time it has extended the closure.