Team searches for whale tangled in lines
A humpback whale rescue team was still looking Friday for a whale off Hawaii that is caught in fishing lines.
Jeff Walters, marine mammal branch chief at the National Marine Fisheries Service, said Friday the gear could kill the whale. He said the lines are caught in the whale’s mouth, which will eventually make it hard for the animal to eat.
A tour boat first saw the whale Thursday off Maui’s south coast. Officials from the large whale disentanglement network, which includes people from federal and state agencies, went to the scene and followed the whale in a boat. They hoped to cut the whale free of the line, but they lost sight of the animal because they weren’t able to tag it.
Manahan announces run for City Council
State House Vice Speaker Joey Manahan said Thursday that he will run for Honolulu City Council.
Manahan (D, Kalihi-Kapalama) will run in Council District 7, which covers Kalihi, Salt Lake, Pearl Harbor and Foster Village. Term limits prevent Councilman Romy Cachola from seeking another term.
Manahan was first elected to the House in 2006. He became vice speaker last year.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Coast Guard, counties to team on rescues
The Coast Guard has signedmemoranda of agreement with Maui and Hawaii counties to improve coordination during search and rescue missions.
Rear Adm. Charles W. Ray, 14th Coast Guard District commander,met with Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa and Hawaii Mayor Billy Kenoi on Thursday.
The agreements establish terms by which county fire departments and ocean safety services will coordinate efforts with the Coast Guard during civilian and military search and rescue missions, the Coast Guard said in a news release.
Volcanoes park roads to be closed for work
Part of Hilina Pali Road in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park will be closed Monday, Tuesday and Feb. 13-14 for roadwork, the National Park Service said.
The road will be closed from Kulanaokuaiki campground to the Hilina Pali overlook. When the work zone moves past the campground toward Chain of Craters Road, the entire road will be closed during the day.
Park visitors can also expect lanes to be closed on Crater Rim Drive and Chain of Craters Road as crews make roadway improvements. Updates are available at www.nps.gov/havo.
