Neighborhood Board e-voting to begin

The Honolulu Neighborhood Commission Office has mailed passcodes to 180,000 eligible voters who may cast ballots online for contested seats on the 2013-2015 neighborhood boards.

Voters may use the codes to cast ballots via computers through May 17. The city will also make computers available to the public for voting during this period, on the second floor of the Mission Memorial Building beside Honolulu Hale and in Kapolei Hale’s Conference Room D, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

Voters who can’t access the Internet or the public computers may cast ballots by telephone using information included in the mailing. Candidate profiles and photos are posted at www1.honolulu.gov/nco.

For more information, visit the commission website at www1.honolulu.gov/nco or call 768-3716.

Study shows importance of seafloor algae

A new study shows algae on the seafloor are important to the health of food webs and fish populations in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.

The study published earlier this month in the journal Marine Biology found bottom-dwelling algae are the base of the food web. Small fish eat the algae, while sharks and other large fish eat the smaller fish.

Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument Deputy Superintendent and report co-author Randall Kosaki says taking care of the reef will help ensure healthy fish populations. Dredging and the spread of non-native invasive algae will affect the abundance of fish prized by humans for food, like snapper or jacks. Researchers collected nearly 600 algae and fish samples for the study.

Woman’s death might be result of foul play

A 21-year-old Kauai woman was found dead at home Friday, and police suspect foul play.

The woman was found in her room at the Kawaihau Sports Villa condominium in Kapaa at around 2:30 p.m., Police Chief Darryl Perry said in a news release.

Police have not released her identity.

The woman’s 26-year-old roommate, who was located around 1:30 p.m. Saturday, was being questioned in connection with her death.

"This is an ongoing investigation and details of the case will be released when appropriate," said Assistant Chief Roy Asher of the Investigative Services Bureau. "But at this time we do have a person of interest in custody that may have more information to help us understand the circumstances that led to the victim’s death."

An autopsy is scheduled for Monday.

Hundreds hail the reopening of rec center

The renovated Waiakea Recreation Center reopened Friday evening after a public blessing and ceremony that drew hundreds of people to the popular Hilo facility.

The $1.7 million, five-month makeover improved structural safety, accessibility and user comfort.

Mayor Billy Kenoi noted that 32 organizations use the center.

"This is where our children learn sportsmanship, hard work and pride," he said.