Maui resort fire likely accidental, officials say

Maui fire officials said Tuesday the cause of a fire that caused $1.4 million in damage to Valley Isle Resort in Kahana is undetermined but was likely to have been accidental "due to operating equipment."

Elevator service was restored to the resort Monday. Fire spokes-man Lee Mainaga said although the front entrance has been closed due to fire damage, occupants could reach the elevator from the ocean side of the building.

The Monday fire damaged a gym, sauna, kitchen and offices of the resort.

The fire did not reach the upper portion of the 10-story building that houses vacation rentals and time-share units, fire officials said. Occupants were evacuated but were later allowed to return to their units.

Officials estimated the loss at $900,000 to the building and $500,000 to contents.

Restaurant faces fines for having large cesspools

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is planning to fine a Hanalei restaurant more than $177,000 for failing to close three large-capacity cesspools.

The EPA says it inspected Tahiti Nui Restaurant and Cocktail Bar several times and notified Christian Marston that his establishment violated federal regulations.

The agency says Marston in 2006 acknowledged operating large-capacity cesspools and hired a professional engineer to design an approved system. But the EPA said last week Marston hadn’t followed through years later.

Large-capacity cesspools discharge untreated sewage from buildings serving 20 or more people daily. The EPA required existing large cesspools to close in 2005 and prohibited new ones after 2000.