Expect round-the-clock roadwork on H-1

The state Department of Transportation will be conducting extensive nighttime roadwork across the island this week, and that includes multiple-lane closures on the H-1 freeway in both directions in the Pearl City area.

» There will be right-lane closures in the westbound direction between the Kaonohi Street overpass and the H-1/H-2 split Sunday through Friday nightly from 9 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. for striping work.

Two right lanes will be closed from 9 to 11 p.m., and three right lanes will be closed from 11 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.

For more information, visit the project website at www.pmcontraflow.com or call the project hotline at 945-1144.

» Left lanes will be closed in the eastbound direction at the Aiea pedestrian overpass between the Kaamilo Street overpass and the Aiea/Kaneohe/Honolulu offramp (Exit 13A) Monday through Friday nightly from 6 p.m. to 4 a.m.

Three left lanes will be closed from 6 to 9 p.m., and four left lanes will be closed from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m.

The construction will redo approximately 10,000 square feet of deteriorated pavement. The concrete deck will be replaced by around 84 precast panels.

» Three left lanes will be closed in the eastbound direction at the Aiea pedestrian overpass between the Kaamilo Street overpass and the Aiea/Kaneohe/Honolulu offramp (Exit 13A) Monday from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for joint precast panel installations.

» Three left lanes will be closed in the eastbound direction between the H-1/H-2 merge and the Waiawa Road overpass Sunday through Friday from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m., nightly for the rail project. For more information, visit rail’s website at www.honolulutransit.org.

A full list of roadwork projects with lane closures can be found at hidot.hawaii.gov/highways/roadwork/oahu.

Maui rapist gets 60-year term

WAILUKU, Maui » A judge sentenced a man to 60 years behind bars for raping a clerk at a Maui Mall surf shop two years ago.

The Maui News reports Charles Cowans, 45, a repeat offender, will have to spend at least 40 years behind bars before being eligible for parole.

Circuit Court Judge Rhonda Loo told Cowans, "You are a beast and you were in beast mode that day."

Cowans pleaded no contest to two counts of first-degree sexual assault and kidnapping.

Deputy Public Defender William "Pili" McGrath says Cowans wasn’t taking his mental health medication at the time.

The victim told the court Friday that she’s haunted by the crime, which has caused unnecessary stress, anger and worry for her children.

Fumes shut part of post office

A buildup of fumes from a solvent closed the Kailua-Kona Post Office retail lobby Friday morning.

The counter area of the post office was off-limits until shortly after lunch, West Hawaii Today reported. A sign told customers that an unexpected occurrence resulted in the facility’s closure until further notice.

The postmaster decided to not open the counter area after employees detected a buildup of fumes from a solvent used to remove glue containing asbestos. Contractors applied the solvent the night before as part of a carpet removal project at the Palani Road facility.

The building was ventilated and reopened by 1 p.m.

Customers were able to use a kiosk for credit and debit card purchases of postage during the closure and access their mailboxes. Mail continued to be processed at the delivery operations area, which is set apart from the retail lobby.