Flavor of Maui

Upcountry youngster Leia Kaaihue, 2, finds her niche in the playground equipment at Maui Nui Botanical Gardens in Kahului on Tuesday. Leia was at the park with her grandmother Darcy Santos Bras and cousin Po'okela Santos Bras, 3. The stop at the park was part of a day off spent together. "I enjoy my grandkids," Santos Bras said. "They're funny." The botanical gardens will be busier Nov.

WAILUKU - An attorney for three Molokai utilities told 2nd Circuit Judge Joel August on Thursday that water and sewage operations will be continued while they seek an extension on a temporary rate increase at the Public Utilities Commission. The utilities had asked August to dismiss the county's suit against them, which seeks a court order to require the utilities or Molokai Properties Ltd.

KAHULUI - Hawaii Superferry is trimming its schedule on the Oahu-Maui route and hiking some prices as it switches to a "fall schedule" beginning today, according to a company spokeswoman. The schedules for services and fares posted on the Superferry Web site indicate a number of changes that are now in effect.

KAHULUI - A Lahaina man with a new heart and lungs made an emotional connection Sunday with the couple who made his successful transplant happen. Paul Dean, 65, struggled to find the words to describe his feelings after meeting Tom and Nancy Susco of Reston, Va., parents of the donor, Tim Susco. Tim Susco died Aug. 15, 2007, at age 25 after suffering a ruptured brain aneurysm.