Betts to head state women’s commission

Hawaii’s state Commission on the Status of Women has a new executive director.

The state Department of Human Services announced Wednesday that Catherine Betts has been appointed to lead the commission, which works toward equality of women and girls.

Betts is a former deputy attorney general with the state Family Law Division and has worked in private practice in the areas of family and immigration law.

She was an appointed commissioner to the Honolulu County Committee on the Status of Women from 2001 to 2004 and from 2008 to 2011.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

$13.5M granted to help repair Saddle Road

The federal government is providing $13.5 million to make improvements to Saddle Road.

The road provides a route for Hawaii island drivers between the east and west sides of the island. It also serves as a military route between Kawaihae Harbor and Pohakuloa Training Area.

Hawaii’s congressional delegation in Washington announced the funding Wednesday. The money comes from the competitive Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery grant.

U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka said Saddle Road is need of repairs and is one of the most dangerous but important routes in the state.

U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye said improving the road has been one of his priorities for more than a decade.

Mud prevents the collection of green waste

The Hanalei transfer station is not accepting green waste until further notice because of muddy conditions, Kauai County said. The green waste service will resume when conditions improve.

The facility is still accepting loose trash and bagged trash, appliances, scrap metals, household recyclables in the Kauai Recycles drop bins, propane tanks, tires and residential used motor oil and motor oil filters for recycling.

Residents who want to dispose of green waste during the closure may take their items to the Kapaa transfer station.

The normal operating hours for all transfer stations are 7:15 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.

For more information and updates, call 212-4683.