Water main fixed but conservation goes on

Board of Water Supply crews completed repair Sunday of the 24-inch water main that broke on Farrington Highway Saturday, but officials are asking Leeward Coast residents to continue to conserve water until further notice to allow area reservoirs to return to their normal capacities.

Water service was restored Sunday evening to Kahe Power Plant and 15 nearby residences after the main broke.

The Board of Water Supply asks that water use be limited to priority needs such as cooking, drinking and personal hygiene. A BWS spokesman said it takes about a day for a water system to return to normal after such repair work.

Unions get more time on graduation rules

The full Board of Education will not take up controversial proposed changes to high school graduation requirements this week, as had been scheduled.

BOE Student Achievement Committee Chairwoman Cheryl Kauhane Lupenui said the board is giving unions more time to file responses to planned changes.

The matter is on the agenda for the committee’s upcoming meeting Tuesday, but it will not go before the full board until September.

Lupenui said the committee will get an update Tuesday on issues surrounding the proposed requirements, including the Department of Education’s efforts to work with principals, teachers and community members.

The proposed policy has drawn criticism because it would cut the number of required social studies credits.

The changes would go into effect with the class of 2016 or 2018, depending on the final decision from the board.

Government talks continue on pacts for 3 labor unions

HILO » Three Hawaii public-sector unions are still working on new contract agreements with counties and the state.

Contracts for the Hawaii Fire Fighters Association, the United Public Workers and the State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers expired June 30.

The Hawaii Tribune-Herald reported that the terms of the old contracts have been extended.

A federal mediator has been employed in negotiations with the police union.

The leader of the firefighters union says labor negotiations are going well, and HFFA President Robert Lee said they haven’t reached a point where they need a mediator.

The United Public Workers union did not respond to requests for comment.

DLNR meetings set for schools Saturday on Kauai

The location has changed for Saturday’s Department of Land and Natural Resource listening session in Lihue.

The meeting is due to be held at Elsie H. Wilcox Elementary School rather than at the Kauai Veterans Center.

State Sen. Ronald Kouchi is hosting the sessions so that senior DLNR officials hear the concerns of Kauai residents.

Similar sessions will be held around the state.

Kauai’s other session will be held at Kilauea Elementary School, also on Saturday.