North Kona Councilman Kelly Greenwell tells the “Hawaii Tribune-Herald” that he wants to hire a professional lobbyist to help the county get more federal stimulus funds. Kelly also supports a proposal from county finance director Nancy Crawford to hire a project manager to oversee park contruction projects in Kailua-Kona. Both Greenwell and Crawford feel the positions are justified despite an anticipated budget cruch for the county.
A 21-year old UH-Hilo student will spend 30 days in jail for exploding “bottle bombs” on campus. Hilo Judge Glenn Hara suspended all but
30 days of a one-year jail term for Edward Wine II, who pleaded no contest to first degree terroristic threatening charges. Wine and his attorney struck a deal with prosecutors which will allow him to schedule the jail
time between class and work schedules.
Wine’s record will be removed upon graduation if he complies with terms of his probation and stays out of trouble.
Hawaii County Deputy Corporation Counsel Joseph Kamelamela has submitted a four page brief dismissing
as “groundless” a suit filed by a private
contractor who claims he was ignored in
favor of a competitor. Corporation Counsel Lincoln Ashida told the “Hawaii
Tribune-Herald” that the action filed by
HMP, incorporated was very weak in both law and fact. Ashida hasn’t ruled out a countersuit, charging the company with making false claims.