(AP). The state and the Hawaii Government Employees Association have reached a tentative settlement on a new contract. The agreement announced Wednesday would cover 28,200 state workers. It calls for 17 unpaid days off duirng the current fiscal year that ends June 30, 2010, and 24 furlough days the next fiscal year. This amounts to a nearly 8 percent pay cut.
The Hawaii County Board of Ethics has found that Puna Councilwoman Emily Naeole violated the county’s ethics law for a second time. According to records obtained by the “Hawaii Tribune-Herald”, the board found that Naeole failed to treat everyone in a courteous, fair, and impartial manner at a council meeting on June 2nd, 2008. At that meeting, Naeole expressed her displeasure with a project by throwing a pen about 20 feet across the council chambers.
Mayor Billy Kenoi told the Hawaii County Board of Ethics on Wednesday that the county should not hire companies controlled by its employees. The proposed prohibition would extend to an employee’s spouse and dependent children who have a controlling interest in a company hired by the county. Attorney Brian De Lima told the “Hawaii Tribune-Herald” that mayor Kenoi’s proposal would make it illegal for county police officers to perform special-duty work during their off-hours.
A growing number of children and students are taking advantage of free meals being offered by the island’s social ministries. Alberta Kawaauhau of the Glad Tiding Church on Kapiolani Street tells the “Hawaii Tribune-Herald” that there’s a lot of little children coming, including four or five families in some cases. At the end of the month, Glad Tidings Church broke the 200 mark for plates served at its Monday night dinner.
St. Michael the Archangel Church along Alii Drive in Kailua-Kona will be decommissioned during a Farewell Service at 5:30 pm, Monday November 2nd. The public is invited to the service which will be held in front of the church. The historic church was built around 1850 of lava rock, coral, and sand. The church was severely damaged by the October 16th 2006 earthquake and was deemed unsafe. Demolition of St. Michael’s Church will include locating the remains of Father Joachim Marechal, who oversaw the building of the original church.
Hawaii Islandt State Senator Dwight Takamine invites the public to attend a meeting regarding the new Hilo High School gym project, beginning at 6 pm Monday in the Hilo High School cafeteria. current plans call for upgrading the project to a design that could also serve as a Civil Defense shelter. The timeline for the $21 million project will also be discussed.
A Hilo Grand Jury has indicted 38-year old Selana Ann Victorino of intentionally and or knowingly causing serious injury to 7-month old boy on March 19th, 2008. Police Captain Randall Medeiros told the “Hawaii Tribune-Herald that Victorino was the baby sitter at the time of the alleged incident. Polic acted on a call from medical personnel, who believed the injuries to be serious in nature.
Eighteen-year old Sara Sutton was killed Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning from injuries sustained in a one car crash on Maukalani Drive in the vicinity of Amauulu Street in Hilo. Police believe speed and alcohol may have factors in the fatal accident. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.