In brief | Big Island & State | 2-21-14

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Injuries to 2-month-old Holualoa boy prompt police investigation

Injuries to 2-month-old Holualoa boy prompt police investigation

Hawaii Island police have initiated an abuse case after a 2-month-old Holualoa boy was hospitalized and later sent to Oahu for further treatment.

The Hawaii County Police Department was notified Wednesday by the Department of Human Services Child Welfare Services in Honolulu that an infant had been taken by a family member to Kona Community Hospital on Tuesday, then flown to The Queen’s Medical Center on Oahu on Wednesday morning, according to Juvenile Aid Section Lt. Gilbert Gaspar.

He said the infant appeared to have suffered a subdural hematoma. No further information was immediately available including whether there were other children in the home or if a person has been taken into custody.

According to the National Institutes of Health, subdural hematomas are usually the result of a serious head injury.

“The DHS is aware that an infant has been transferred from Hawaii Island to Oahu, with suspicious injuries. However, citing issues of confidentiality, we are unable to confirm if the child or its family are involved with the Child Welfare Service Branch,” said Department of Human Services spokeswoman Kayla Rosenfeld.

Ohia Street bridge to close Monday

Kukuiaonanipahu Stream Bridge, the wooden bridge on Ohia Street in Honokaa, will close Monday, to allow the Department of Public Works to replace the wooden decking, stringers, and sill plates and railings. Work is expected to be completed by Feb. 28, depending on weather.

Kukuiaonanipahu Stream Bridge serves the residents on Ohia, Lokelani and Pikake streets.

Maui police looks to fill nearly 30 civilian jobs

WAILUKU, Maui — The Maui Police Department says it needs to fill more than two dozen civilian positions.

Police officials say it’s the largest vacancy the department has seen in about six years.

The Maui News reported that of the 29 civilian vacancies, 15 are for radio dispatchers.

MPD Business Administrator Greg Takahashi said it’s difficult to find and retain dispatchers. The job requires six months of training.

Takahashi told the Maui Police Commission Wednesday the department has lost nearly 6 percent of its employees recently because of retirement and other circumstances.

Court-martial in prostitute’s death set for April

HONOLULU — A trial date has been scheduled for the court-martial of a Marine accused of killing a prostitute who was visiting Hawaii.

The Marine Corps announced Thursday that Master Sgt. Nathaniel Cosby’s trial is scheduled for the week of April 21.

Cosby will face a general court-martial in the death of Ivanice Harris of Las Vegas.

Honolulu police say Cosby is seen on surveillance footage meeting Harris outside a Waikiki bar and the two were seen kissing in the elevator of a hotel.

Police say Cosby was later seen pulling a large duffel bag and loading it into the back of a sport utility vehicle.

Harris’ body was found in a remote area more than 30 miles west of Waikiki. Originally from Oregon, she was in Hawaii celebrating her 29th birthday.

Guam waste board urges action on river

HAGATNA, Guam — The Guam Solid Waste Authority board of directors wants the governor and lawmakers to take action against parties responsible for polluting the Lonfit River.

Pacific Daily News reported the board members passed a resolution Thursday asking Guam Gov. Eddie Calvo and senators to do everything they can to hold parties, including the federal government, accountable.

The neighboring Ordot landfill is blamed for polluting the river. That prompted legal action by the federal Environmental Protection Agency to close the landfill.

The landfill started as a World War II disposal site used by the Japanese, then by the U.S. Navy until ownership was transferred to the government of Guam in 1950.

Calvo said he wants to sue the federal government to force it to pay its share of the landfill closure.

By local and wire sources