Marianne resolution introduced in House
Hawaii Congresswomen Mazie Hirono and Colleen Hanabusa joined lawmakers from New York in introducing a House resolution Thursday to honor Mother Marianne Cope, who was canonized as a saint in October in Rome.
St. Marianne, also known as the "Mother of Outcasts," followed Father Damien in caring for Hansen's disease patients at Kalaupapa for 30 years beginning in 1888.
The New York lawmakers were Reps. Richard Hanna and Ann Marie Buerkle. St. Marianne lived in New York before traveling to Hawaii.
She is one of the 12 American saints in the Catholic Church. St. Damien was canonized in October 2009.
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Intersection to be closed in Wailuku
Temporary road closures will be required for Maui Electric Co. work at the intersection of Mill and Lower Main streets in Wailuku this afternoon and Monday evening.
The work will be done 3 to 4 p.m. today and 7 to 8 p.m. Monday. Motorists should avoid the area, if possible.
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Holiday Toy Drive to run until Dec. 14
Pacific Radio Group and Maui United Way launched a 2012 Holiday Toy Drive, benefiting Maui's keiki in need, according to an announcement.
Toy donations will be accepted until Dec. 14.
Residents are asked to donate new, unwrapped toys. Donations may be dropped off at Ben Franklin's Crafts at the Queen Ka'ahumanu Center, ACE Hardware Store locations, Habitat for Humanity's ReStore, Pacific Radio Group, the Mayor's Office in the Kalana O Maui building or Maui United Way.
MUW President and Chief Professional Officer Laksmi Abraham said there's a high demand for toys from needy families.
All toy donations will go to families and clients served by Maui United Way's 34 health and human service partner agencies, including agencies such as Malama Family Recovery, Maui Youth & Family Services, Imua Family Services, Child & Family Service and Maui Farm.
For more information or specific drop-off locations, visit www.mauiunitedway.org.
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Waterline project to disrupt traffic
Beginning Monday, a waterline replacement project on Kaupakalua Road in Haiku will cause traffic disruptions, the Department of Water Supply announced.
Maui contractor West Maui Construction will replace the waterline on Kaupakalua Road from its Ulumalu Road intersection, also known as "Five Corners," to about 400 feet east of the Kawelo Road intersection. The current waterline is undersized and insufficient to provide fire protection for surrounding residents.
The project is expected to be completed in July. Traffic may be limited to one lane during the project.
Motorists are asked to use caution and to follow traffic control measures. Work is scheduled 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., weekdays, excluding holidays.
The contractor will notify customers when water service will be affected. Customers are requested to call the 24-hour service line, 270-7633, only if a water problem occurs.
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Lifeguard training will close pools
Certain county pools will be closed Tuesday to Thursday for annual lifeguard training, the Department of Parks and Recreation announced.
The schedule follows:
* Tuesday, Upcountry Aquatic Center, Kokua Pool.
* Wednesday, Kahului and Wailuku pools, Lahaina Aquatic Center.
* Thursday, Kihei Aquatic Center.
For more information, contact Frances Yamamoto at 270-6138.
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Reef strategy topic of scoping meeting
A public scoping meeting on the West Maui Ridge to Reef Initiative will be held from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Lahaina Civic Center.
The state Department of Land and Natural Resources and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are seeking input from government agencies as well as residents and organizations on a study to expand the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration-funded Wahikuli-Honokowai watershed to the Honokahua, Kahana and Honolua watershed areas.
The initiative is to implement a comprehensive management strategy to address impacts to coral reefs across multiple watersheds, the corps said previously.
For more information, call program manager Cindy Barger at (808) 835-4029.
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Cameron Center renovates website
The J. Walter Cameron Center launched its new website Thursday.
The website updated its look and maneuverability, as well as adding a "News Feature" to provide visitors with the center's latest news and activities.
The updated website will help celebrate the center's 40th anniversary next year.
The center is a nonprofit organization that provides office space to resident agencies in the health and human services sector on Maui. The center delivers these services to more than 30,000 clients annually.
For more information, visit the J. Walter Cameron Center website at www.jwcameroncenter.org.
