Neighbor Island briefs

Advertiser Staff and News Services

BIG ISLAND

Dec. 6 deadline in police chief search

The Hawai'i County Police Commission has set a Dec. 6 deadline to find a new police chief.

The nine-member commission is charged with filling the vacancy created when former Chief James Correa retired last month to become federal security director for Kona International Airport.

Assistant Chief Lawrence Mahuna has been serving as acting police chief.

At $75,581, the annual salary for chief is lower than the highest paid civil servant in the police department, who makes $84,696. Correa cited salary as one reason behind his decision to leave.

The Police Commission, at a meeting last week, established a committee to research salaries of other police chiefs in Hawai'i and come up with a proposal to present to the full commission.

Commissioners would have to approve the change and then present their recommendations to the Salary Commission.

MAUI

Ethics board clears Maui councilwoman

The Maui Board of Ethics has cleared County Councilwoman Jo Anne Johnson of 10 complaints filed by members of the Maui Planning Commission, an attorney and developer Clifford Beppu.

The complaints by the planning commissioners and attorney Judith Neustadter Fuqua stem from the legal case of the Hale O Kaula Church, which is seeking a permit to hold worship services on an agricultural lot.

Beppu objected to Johnson's testimony before the Planning Commission in opposition to the proposed Maui Golf and Water Park.

Ethics board member Barry Helle said council members testifying before boards and commissions need to be sure they are not seen as trying to exert pressure on an appointed panel.

The Board of Ethics also confirmed its earlier advisory opinion that Councilman Mike Molina does not have a conflict of interest in voting on rezoning the Makena Resort.

Molina has a 10 percent interest in a family trust that owns a parcel of land near the resort. He said he is not very active in the day-to-day operations of the trust.

Hispanic street festival set

The third annual Somos Amigos street festival celebrating Maui's growing Hispanic community will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday on Market Street in Wailuku.

Mexican, Puerto Rican and Portuguese food will be sold at the festival, which will include craft booths, children's activities and entertainment.

For more information, call Enlace Hispano at (808) 249-2993.