HAWAII’S NEW YEAR’S AIR QUALITY BETTER THAN EXPECTED

Hawaii’s air quality on New Year’s Eve was better than expected according to a report released by the state Department of Health. The highest concentration of particulate matter was recorded at Pearl City. All other locations monitored including Kihei on Maui recorded levels lower or equal to last year’s New Year’s celebration. The state’s Clean Air Branch recorded particulate matter in Kihei at 15 micrograms per cubic meter of air, well below the 150 microgram limit for federal air quality standards. Officials say the decrease can be attributed to the rain, which helped to disperse and scrub particles from the air. (Posted by Wendy Osher: Monday, January 12, 2009)