Scientists study impact of treated wastewater
HONOLULU (AP) — A team of University of Hawaii scientists completed a study of nearshore ecosystems throughout Maui that shows the impact of discharged treated wastewater.
The findings were published in the scientific journal PLOS ONE earlier this month.
The scientists analyzed water and algae at six locations around Maui, including Kahului Bay, which is adjacent to Maui’s highest-volume sewage treatment plant. A study of the bay found high nutrient levels in marine surface waters near the Kahului Wastewater Reclamation Facility and a “thick, fleshy mat” of colonial zoanthids, a coral-like organism.
The authors noted in the report that the presence of such concentrations of zoanthids is associated with areas close to wastewater injection wells.
Kuau and Maalaea waters also were found to have nearly 100 times more nitrogen than other locations because of fertilizer-enriched groundwater discharge.
Researchers also found high concentrations of nitrogen near sugar cane fields.
Proposal would cut bed space for homeless shelters
HONOLULU (AP) — Eight Hawaii homeless shelters predict they will lose more than 660 beds combined under spacing changes proposed by the state Department of Human Services.
The changes would require shelters to designate at least 10 cubic feet for each sleeping area. Other proposed rule changes would require 50 percent of clients at emergency shelters to move out within 30 days, and half of them would have to go into permanent housing.
Directors from the eight shelters, including one on Maui and another on the Big Island, met last week to discuss their concerns with the changes, which include limited bed space and having to force people out when they’re not ready.
The eight shelter operators have enough beds for a total of 1,841 people. They estimate DHS’ proposed changes could force them to reduce that number to 1,179.
The state’s proposed rules are intended to increase safety and make shelters more welcoming. Other rules proposed by DHS would prohibit contact between adults and children in dining areas, common areas, bathrooms and sleeping areas.
DHS is accepting feedback on the changes, which could go into effect as soon as February.
11 possible sites for new OCCC
HONOLULU (AP) — There are 11 possible sites for rebuilding what is now Hawaii’s most crowded jail.
The state Department of Public Safety on Monday announced officials are eyeing sites in Kalihi, Aiea, Kalaeloa, Mililani and Waiawa.
Officials say Oahu Community Correctional Center needs to be rebuilt because it is old and obsolete.
One possibility would be to rebuild it at the Kamehameha Highway property in Kalihi, where the current jail has been since 1975.
Another possibility is building it on Halawa Correctional Facility’s property.
The department says officials will look at the 11 sites and come up with a short list that will go through an environmental review process.
Department Director Nolan Espinda says reducing the list will involve looking at costs and proximity to courts and services.
Autopsies confirm murder-suicide
HANAMAULU, Kauai (AP) — Kauai police say a man shot and killed his ex-wife before killing himself.
Police said an autopsy performed Monday confirmed Janese Singh died of multiple gunshot wounds. They said an autopsy confirms her ex-husband, Juanito Singh, died of a single, self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Police arrived at an apartment at Kalepa Village in Hanamaulu early Saturday and found Juanito Singh dead. Janese Singh was taken to Wilcox Hospital, where she later died.
Police say the couple’s children are in Child Protective Services custody.
