Third of guards call in sick day of Super Bowl ADVERTISING Third of guards call in sick day of Super Bowl HONOLULU (AP) — The percentage of prison guards across the state who called in sick on Super Bowl Sunday
Third of guards call in sick day of Super Bowl
HONOLULU (AP) — The percentage of prison guards across the state who called in sick on Super Bowl Sunday was down from last year, but nearly a third of all guards were still absent from work.
The state Public Safety Department said about 31 percent of corrections officers called in sick for the Feb. 7 game. During last year’s Super Bowl, 35 percent called out of work.
State prisons chief Nolan Espinda attributed this year’s slight decline to the state filling more than 100 guard positions in 2015, but acknowledged more work needs to be done.
Of the state’s prisons, Waiawa Correctional Facility had the highest percentage of guards who called in sick, with about 63 percent of those scheduled to work staying home.
Hilo’s Hawaii Community Correctional Center had about 40 percent of its guards say they were sick.
Bill targets slow drivers in fast lanes
HONOLULU (AP) — State lawmakers are considering a bill cracking down on slow drivers in the fast lane.
The bill would require drivers in the far left lane to move over if they are going slower than the speed limit and if there are at least three cars immediately behind them. The legislation was heard by the House transportation committee Wednesday.
Honolulu police say that under the state’s current law, slow drivers should aim for the right-hand lanes of any roadway. They say driving at speeds of 5 miles per hour or more below the speed limit is permitted in only the far right lane.
The bill cites safety concerns as the need for stricter laws. It says slow drivers in the left-hand lane who force drivers to go around them can cause accidents.
Supporters of the legislation said it would help reduce traffic problems on the state’s highways, including jams and road rage. Others said the new rules might be difficult to implement.
“How would you put that on a sign on the road?” said driver Mara Alontaga. “It’s a little confusing if they were to make that a rule.”
Brush fire on Maui prompts evacuations, burns 5,500 acres
HONOLULU (AP) — Firefighters were working through the night to protect homes from a rural Maui wildfire that has scorched 5,500 acres and forced evacuations.
The Maui Fire Departments said late Tuesday that so far only a weather monitoring station had been lost to the flames.
The department said crews would remain through the night to prevent any damage to homes.
Earlier in the day, Fire Services Officer Ed Taomoto said the uncontained blaze had forced the evacuation of 10 residents from Kahikinui homesteads, while 10 others chose to remain in their homes.
Five helicopters poured water on the flames from the air. County public works bulldozers laid fire breaks along with state forestry crews. Workers from the Haleakala, Ulupalakua and Kaupo ranches were helping.
The burned area is mostly dryland shrub on the south side of Haleakala, Taomoto said. The blaze stretches from sea level to about 3,500 feet above sea level.
The flames hit several spots in the area but was considered one fire, Taomoto said. The flames were near the 23 to 27.5 mile markers on Piilani Highway.
The blaze began about 5:40 p.m. Monday.
