From West Hawaii Today:

Brightly colored floatation devices, mounted to plastic pipes topped with orange flags, now adorn five North Kona beaches, thanks to the Alex and Duke De Rego Foundation.

Foundation volunteers installed the rescue equipment, known as rescue tubes, at Kahaluu Beach Park, Laaloa Beach Park, Honl’s Beach, Pine Trees and the Old Kona Airport Park on Monday. Already similar tubes have been used to save six Hawaii Island swimmers — five at Pololu Valley, where an entire family was pulled about 150 feet offshore by a rip current, and one at the Keauhou area known as the End of the World — organization founder Shirley De Rego said. Read more.

And here’s the latest in other neighbor isle gov’t and politics:

Eleele resident cleaning up a piece of Kauai’s history

Oshima Lions celebrate 50th anniversary

Thursday dedication set for Waihee park

Kauai Council has one month to replace Nakamura’s successor

State asked to weigh in on GMO

Maui County Council weighs options for isle’s waste

Helmet bill likely won’t pass this year

‘Dream come true’: County buys Waikapu park site

Manele Bay resort renovation details on Lanai meeting agenda

Volunteers sought in anticipation of Maui canoe launch

Photo: Kahaluu Beach Park. (daveynin)

—Chad Blair