Hawaii County Public Works Director Warren Lee says bids have been opened for the construction of the Ane Keohokalole Highway in Kailua-Kona. Lee tells “West Hawaii Today” that bids ranged from about $30 million to $37 million for the first segment of the mid-level road, which would run from Palani Road to Hina Lani Street. Lee says a bid winner will be announced in one to two weeks.
Gas Company spokeswoman Stephanie Ackerman tells “West Hawaii Today” that there is no shortage of propane on Hawaii Island. A number of Kailua-Kona residents disagree, saying they were able to get only partial re-fills prior to the Christmas holiday. Ackerman says not all customers got full re-fills because the company was “trying to be responsibile” with the amount of propane available. With the arrival of two shipments, there should be sufficient supplies of propane for Big Island customers. Tesoro spokesman Nathan Hokama says output at that refinery has been normal.
The University of Hawaii Institute for Astronomy tells “West Hawaii Today” that it is delaying work on the enviornmental impact statement for the Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System atop Mauna Kea. The Institute says the draft EIS will be delayed for a year to 18 months while astronomers focus on fine-tuning the telescope’s prototypes on Haleakala on Maui. The new System is designed to detect large asteroids and comets headed toward Earth.
Hawaii Island State Senators Russell Kokubun and Dwight Takamine will join Hawaii Island State Representatives Jerry Chang and Clifton Tsuji at a community meeting on Wednesday, January 13th, 6 p.m., at UH-Hilo’s UCB Room 127. The purpose of the meeting is to give the public a chance to express their concerns and priorities for the upcoming legislative session. The 2010 legislative session convenes on January 20th.
Notice to motorists: Public Works personnel will replace an overhead traffic signal at the intersection of Kamehameha, Manono, and Lihiwai in Hilo today, January 9th. Only one lane will be open for motorists bound for Hilo or turning left on to Manono Street. The work begins at 8 a.m. and will continue through 1 p.m.
Notice to motorists: Manono Street will be resurfaced on Monday and Tuesday, January 11th and 12th between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. both days. Road work will begin at the Lihiwai intersection and will end at Pi’ilani Street.
Notice to motorists: Komohana Street between Kukuau Street and Ponahawai Street will be closed for 5 nights, beginning this Sunday, January 10th. Construction work will run from 7 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Notice to motorists: The state Department of Transportation advises Big Island motorists of single lane closures on Queen Kaahumanu Highway from Lako Street to Henry Street on Monday, January 11th, through Friday, January 15th, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for pavement marking and highway signage installations. One lane of traffic in each direction will be open at all times. Motorists are advised to use caution while they drive through the work area and to allow for extra travel time. Roadwork is weather-permitting.