KAILUA-KONA >> All residents in North Kona have been ordered to restrict water use and cease all irrigation after another well went down, bringing the Hawaii County Department of Water Supply’s total number of downed wells to five.

West Hawaii Today reported last week the department wants water restricted immediately and also plans to begin “actively restricting specific accounts due to exorbitant water use.”

Department Manager and chief engineer Keith Okamoto says the emergency restriction is likely to continue through the next couple of weeks. He says a spare pump is on its way to the site.

The mayor’s office recommends residents store five to 10 gallons of water for basic household needs.

Mauna Kea park plan opposed

Hawaii island Mayor Harry Kim’s plan for a Mauna Kea cultural park is being opposed by Thirty Meter Telescope protesters.

Kim sees the potential park on the mountain as being a symbol of peace, in addition to a place to celebrate the pursuit of knowledge, Hawaiian culture and the cosmopolitan makeup of Hawaii’s people, he said. Opponents contend the park would be a further desecration of the mountain.

“Mismanagement of the mountain is really the issue,” Kailua-Kona resident Kahookahi Kanuha said. “This would be a continuation of it.”

Most of the mountain, which is home to 13 telescopes and the site of the proposed Thirty Meter Telescope, is managed by the University of Hawaii. Kim suggested that change, saying there needs to be a new governing body for Hawaii’s tallest peak.

“You were wronged,” Kim told the Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustees on Thursday. “The university did a poor job of management. We all need to get better.”

The opposition urged trustees to reject Kim’s proposal of the park if it will allow for construction of the telescope.