Berg sworn in as ninth member of City Council

The City Council has its full roster of nine members with the official swearing-in yesterday of Councilman Tom Berg.

Berg, representing District 1, Leeward Coast-Ewa, was formally sworn in by City Clerk Bernice Mau. A ceremonial swearing-in is scheduled at next week’s Council meeting.

The former legislative aide and tea party activist was the winner of a 14-person special election last month to succeed Todd Apo, who resigned in November to take a job with Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.

Berg, 46, will be chairman of the Parks and Human Services Committee and also serve as vice chairman of the Planning Committee.

Snow gives Haleakala a ‘dusting’

An upper-atmosphere cold front brought a rare sight to the Valley Island yesterday: snow on the summit of Haleakala.

The top section of the road to the summit in Haleakala National Park was closed yesterday morning because icy conditions made driving hazardous, the National Park Service said.

Park ranger Nav Singh said ice and snow were reported at the 10,000-foot summit. "It looked like dusting occurred on multiple peaks," Singh added.

The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning for the summit and upper slopes of Haleakala and the Big Island’s Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa.

Fishing boats get OK to troll off Kahoolawe

Registered vessels will be allowed to troll in waters around Kahoolawe on Saturday and Sunday, the Kahoolawe Island Reserve Commission announced.

Vessels will need to file a catch report with the commission when they fish in the reserve, whether fish are caught or not.

"Reserve waters" are defined as within 2 nautical miles of Kahoolawe. All other fishing, ocean recreation, commercial and/or other activities are prohibited.

Access to Kahoolawe Island Reserve waters is severely restricted because of the continued presence of unexploded ordnance, and to protect marine resources. But during two scheduled weekends each month, limited trolling is allowed in reserve waters deeper than 30 fathoms for vessels with permits.

To register a vessel call Dean Tokishi at 243-5889, e-mail dtokishi@kirc.hawaii.gov, or download a registration packet at visit kahoolawe. hawaii.gov.