NOAA revokes furloughs for forecasters

Furloughs for weather forecasters have been canceled, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced Saturday, just as the 2013 hurricane season began.

Kathy Sullivan, acting NOAA administrator, announced that furloughs for 12,000 workers, including 3,500 forecasters, had been revoked and that NOAA would adjust its budget accordingly. NOAA workers in Hawaii include the staff at the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center and the Marine Mammal Response Network, which rescues stricken whales and monk seals.

U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, had urged the move in a May 24 letter to Rebecca Blank, acting secretary of commerce, and praised it in a statement Saturday.

"These workers are essential and, as the devastating and saddening events of recent weeks remind us, must be on the job without interruption to keep our country safe," Schatz said, referring to deadly tornadoes on the mainland. "Whether it is the heartland of America, our many national flood plains, the mainland coastlines exposed to hurricanes, or our Pacific islands, the know-how and experience of the people who help us understand and prepare for the potential impacts of weather is a team we can’t do without."

Jellyfish make their regular visit to shores

Box jellyfish have once again invaded Oahu’s south shores.

The city reported 55 stings at Waikiki Sunday afternoon and four at Ala Moana.

Box jellyfish typically appear in near-shore waters seven to 11 days after the full moon, which was May 25.

City to restore driver’s license service

The city is restoring driver’s license renewal service at the satellite city hall in the Windward City Shopping Center.

Mayor Kirk Caldwell is expected to make the announcement this morning.

Driver’s license renewals had been discontinued at the site last year due to a staffing shortage and consolidation of some services at other locations. That brought complaints from many Windward residents.

Tourist injured on Kalalau Trail

A visitor from Minnesota was rescued Sunday from the Na Pali Coast, Kauai County officials said.

The woman, 61, hurt her left forearm while hiking on the Kalalau Trail. She was about a half-mile from the trail head when she was injured at about 2 p.m.

Firefighters from the Hanalei station hiked in, treated her and carried her out to the trail head in a litter. From there, paramedics took over and transported her to Wilcox Hospital.

Brush fires keep firefighters busy

Maui firefighters put out two brush fires Saturday, one of them suspicious.

At 8:23 p.m. crews from Paia and Kahului were called to a fire off Holomua Road. When they arrived they found two blazes about 150 feet apart, involving a total of about two acres.

Fire officials said simultaneous blazes so close together were suspicious.

Around 10 p.m. crews from Wailuku and Kahului responded to a fire off Kamaaina Road in Mokulele. The fire blackened about three acres before it was put out. No injuries were reported.

7 police officers get promotions

The Kauai Police Department has two new lieutenants and five new sergeants.

In a ceremony Friday at Kauai Community College, Sgts. Scott Brede and James Rodriguez were promoted to lieutenant. Officers Charles Dubocage, Jesse Guirao, Kennison Nagahisa, Colin Nesbitt and Ray Takekawa were promoted to sergeant.

Brede, with the department since 1989, recently served as acting commander for the Lihue patrol district. Rodriguez, a 19-year veteran, has served for the past three years as a detective and acting lieutenant in the Investigative Services Bureau, where he will remain.