Police arrested 32 drivers for suspected drunken driving from Oct. 28 to Sunday; five were involved in traffic accidents; six were younger than 21.
Police arrest 32
for suspected DUI
Police arrested 32 drivers for suspected drunken driving from Oct. 28 to Sunday; five were involved in traffic accidents; six were younger than 21.
Police have made 1,101 suspected DUI arrests this year compared with 1,229 during the same period in 2012, according to the Hawaii County Police Department.
Kona officers arrested 22 motorists and South Hilo officers arrested six, according to police. Ka‘u officers arrested two motorists. Puna and South Kohala officers arrested one in each district.
There have been 1,131 major accidents this year compared with 1,240 during the same period in 2012. To date, there have been 23 traffic fatalities on the Big Island compared with 36 at this time in 2012. Five of those fatalities were attributed to drugs, two to alcohol and six to a combination of alcohol and drugs.
Kauai hospitals’ emergency funding OK’d
HONOLULU — The state Senate is approving more than $7 million in emergency funding for Kauai’s publicly funded hospitals and clinics.
Lawmakers passed the legislation Tuesday during a special session called to consider a measure on gay marriage.
The measure now goes to the governor for approval.
A Senate news release said emergency funding will ensure the facilities that make up Hawaii Health Systems Corporation’s Kauai region remain operational through the spring of 2014. Those facilities include Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital, Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital and three clinics.
Snake found on Honolulu Chinatown sidewalk
HONOLULU — The state Department of Agriculture said a live snake was found on a sidewalk in Honolulu’s Chinatown.
A pedestrian found the snake Tuesday morning on a sidewalk in front of an apartment complex. The snaked was turned over to police, which notified the agriculture department.
Agriculture inspectors were dispatched to pick up the snake. Officials identified the reptile as a nonvenomous rainbow boa constrictor. It is 2-and-a-half feet long.
Snakes are illegal in Hawaii because they have no natural predators in the islands and can wreak havoc on the state’s environment. The state’s amnesty program allows illegal animals to be turned in with immunity from prosecution.
Ruling overturned on Kauai dam break claims
LIHUE, Kauai — A state appeals court has overturned a decision that Kilauea Irrigation Company would not be responsible to defend claims brought against the state in the aftermath of a deadly 2006 Kauai dam break.
The Garden Island reported Tuesday the state Intermediate Court of Appeals ruling said Kilauea Irrigation has a responsibility to defend claims against the state regarding care and maintenance of the Ka Loko dam and spillway prior to the disaster.
Seven people were killed after the dam collapsed and hundreds of gallons of water rushed downhill.
Various lawsuits were filed after the break. Some are still pending.
The ruling sends the Kilauea case back to Circuit Court. The company didn’t file a challenge to the state’s appeal.
Former PTSA president pleads not guilty
HONOLULU — A January trial date has been set for a former president of an elementary school parent-teacher association charged with theft.
KHON-TV reported 43-year-old Tonya Taylor is charged in the theft of $50,000 over four years from the Parent Teacher Student Association at Lanikai Elementary Public Charter School in Kailua. The charges cover money missing between 2007 and 2011.
Taylor pleaded not guilty Monday to felony theft and money laundering charges.
Defense attorney Victor Bakke said Taylor has been a dedicated volunteer for more than 15 years. Bakke said Taylor is working with the government to resolve the case and the accounting.
Taylor is not in custody.
By local and wire sources