Pickup truck crash knocks out electricity
About 900 electricity customers lost power Thursday on Kauai after a vehicle crashed into a utility pole in Wailua.
Just before 3 a.m. Thursday, a pickup truck operated by a 31-year-old Kapaa man was traveling north on Kuhio Highway near Leho Drive when the vehicle veered off the roadway and crashed into the base of the pole.
Police said the driver suffered minor injuries and did not require medical attention. His passenger, a 32-year-old man, suffered minor injuries to his hand and was transported to Wilcox Memorial Hospital for treatment.
A power failure occurred as a result of the crash, affecting about 900 customers in Wailua.
Two northbound lanes of the highway were temporarily shut down as repairs were conducted by Kauai Island Utility Cooperative workers.
Traffic was diverted through the north entrance of Leho Road.
Power was restored at 4:20 a.m., and the pole was replaced at 9:35 a.m.
Lanes were reopened at about 10 a.m.
Ex-journalist is governor’s spokeswoman
Louise Kim McCoy, former press secretary for Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle, has been named communications director and press secretary for Gov. Neil Abercrombie.
McCoy, a former television journalist, also served as spokeswoman for the state Department of Public Safety under former Gov. Linda Lingle.
The Abercrombie administration said Thursday that McCoy will coordinate communications strategy across the executive branch.
"Louise will be a valuable member of our team," Abercrombie said in a statement. "She’s a dedicated public servant and her experience in both government and news will help strengthen our communication efforts."
McCoy replaces Jim Boersema, Abercrombie’s former communications director, who left after committing to one year at the post.
Donalyn Dela Cruz, the deputy communications director and primary spokeswoman for Abercrombie, is taking a position as communications director at the state Department of Education.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Geothermal firm to muffle noise
A firm operating a geothermal plant on Hawaii island is taking steps to reduce noise.
An official with Ormat Technologies, the company operating Puna Geothermal Venture, told West Hawaii Today it will install more sound barriers the next time a well is constructed, and a muffler also will be placed around a truck-mounted drill used to maintain wells.
The noise reduction measures come after neighbors complained that around-the-clock drilling from March through July was keeping them awake.
A public hearing will be held today at 5:30 p.m. in the Pahoa Neighborhood Facility on a County Council bill that would ban night drilling.
