By local and wire sources
Video links ready for reapportionment meetings
Two video conference sites have been added for Tuesday’s state Reapportionment Commission. Big Island residents will be able to view the hearing at the Pahoa Council Office, Pahoa Marketplace, 15-2660 Pahoa Village Rd., Room 304, the Waimea Council Office at Holomua Center, 64-1067 Mamalahoa Hwy., Suite 5, as well as the County Council offices at the West Hawaii Civic Center.
The hearing begins at 6 p.m. at the County Council chambers in Hilo.
Maps of the proposed plan are available for public review at the Office of the County Clerk-Elections Office, 25 Aupuni St., Hilo, and at the West Hawaii Civic Center-Elections Office at 75-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Building B, Kailua-Kona. Maps will be available at time of the hearing at locations noted.
The Reapportionment Commission is scheduled to vote on a proposed reapportionment plan for state legislative districts at its Feb. 27 meeting. In January, the Hawaii Supreme Court invalidated the commission’s prior state legislative reapportionment plan and ordered the commission to prepare and file a new plan.
Written testimony is requested prior to meetings and hearings and may be submitted via email to reapportionment@hawaii.gov.
2 principals earn more than superintendent
HONOLULU — A Hawaii Department of Education analysis shows that two school principals earn more than the statewide district’s top superintendent.
According to the analysis presented to the Board of Education last week, the average salary for 86 top-earning school-level educational officers who are mostly principals is $130,500. The highest salary among those officers was $155,800.
The average pay for complex area superintendents is $120,500 and $108,400 for assistant superintendents. Schools Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi’s salary is capped by law at $150,000.
The analysis is prompting a look at pay equity for top brass in the department.
Governor makes 30 appointments
HONOLULU — Attorney and former Hawaii Democratic Party Chairwoman Lorraine Akiba has been appointed to the Public Utilities Commission.
Akiba’s appointment was one of 30 board and commission appointments announced by Gov. Neil Abercrombie Friday.
Other notable appointments include former Board of Education member Kim Coco Iwamoto to the Civil Rights Commission and Bank of Hawaii CEO Peter Ho to the Tax Review Commission.
Akiba, a partner at McCorriston Miller Mukai MacKinnon, heads the firm’s Environmental Practice Group. She held a similar position at Cades Schutte Flemming & Wright. She has also served as state Director of Labor and Industrial Relations.
Iwamoto’s legal background includes service at Volunteer Legal Services of Hawaii, the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii and the San Francisco Human Rights Commission.
All appointments are subject to Senate confirmation.
Police release details in fatal shooting
KOLOA, Kauai — Neighbors of the Kauai home where police shot and killed a suspect during a standoff say police fired four shots and that the 62-year-old man was unarmed.
Acting Chief Michael Contrades said the shooting is being investigated but it appears officers acted appropriately.
An autopsy is scheduled Friday for Richard Louis.
Police went to his home Wednesday to arrest him on a warrant for missing his trial, where he was convicted of theft, gun and drug charges.
Louis barricaded himself in the home with his girlfriend. Negotiators got the woman out but Louis wouldn’t surrender.
While on the roof, Louis allegedly grabbed an unspecified metal object and threatened the officer, who fired at Louis.
Neighbors say police fired four shots and they’re questioning why officers used deadly force.
By local and wire sources