KAILUA, Kona — A Kailua woman died Monday after a collision on Route 190.

Police said the crash happened at 6:40 p.m. when Sandra L. Thompson, 52, apparently lost control of her southbound 2006 Honda sedan and hit an oncoming 2000 Suzuki vehicle just north of the 7-mile marker. Both drivers were taken to North Hawai'i Community Hospital, where Thompson died at 7:29 p.m.

The 51-year-old Kailua woman driving the Suzuki was listed in satisfactory condition.

There have been nine traffic fatalities on the Big Island this year, compared to 10 a year ago.

SENATE CONFIRMS AGENCY DIRECTOR

The state Senate voted unanimously yesterday to confirm Marie Laderta as the director of the state Department of Human Resources Development.

Laderta has been working as interim director of the department since last summer, replacing Kathleen Watanabe, who was chosen by Gov. Linda Lingle as a Circuit Court judge on Kaua'i.

Laderta, an attorney, had been a deputy tax director and a supervising deputy attorney general for tort litigation.

She is a graduate of the John Marshall Law School in Chicago, Marquette University in Wisconsin, and Maryknoll School.

TAIKO WORKSHOP SET FOR SATURDAY

LIHU'E — Taiko Kaua'i will hold a workshop to introduce adults to Taiko drumming from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at Hanapepe Hongwanji hall. To register call Doris at 332-7287. Refreshments will be served and drumsticks will be issued. There is $25 donation.

WORK TO CLOSE SECTION OF H-3

The left Honolulu-bound lane on the H-3 Freeway, between the Likelike on-ramp and the Halawa interchange, will be closed for drainage cleaning from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on the following dates: