Hawai'i briefs
Advertiser Staff and News Services
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Ex Big Island mayor still critical
HILO, Hawai'i — Former Big Island Mayor Stephen Yamashiro remained in critical condition in The Queen's Medical Center intensive care unit this morning after surgery at Queen's yesterday.
Marsha Reynolds, Yamashiro's spokesman during his administration, said he went to Hilo Medical Center yesterday morning complaining of tightness to his neck and chest. After doctors performed some tests, they moved him to Honolulu "to be cautious," Reynolds said.
She said that the family had been told that Yamashiro was doing well after the surgery.
Yamashiro, 61, is a lawyer and a major player in Big Island politics for nearly 25 years. He served two terms as Big Island mayor from 1992 to 2000, and also served on the County Council from 1976 to 1990.
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HONOLULU
Lingle budget chief confirmed
The state Senate yesterday unanimously confirmed Gov. Linda Lingle's appointment of Georgina Kawamura as director of the Department of Budget and Finance.
Kawamura served as Maui County budget director from 1987 to 1998, and worked for Lingle when Lingle was Maui mayor.
Input sought on court nominees
Public comment is sought on judicial nominees for vacancies in the state District and Family courts of the First Circuit.
The District Court vacancy was created by the departure of Marcia Waldorf, who became a Circuit Court judge. The nominees are: Bert I. Ayabe, Armina Ann Ching, John P. Gillmor, Sherri L. Chun Iha, Faye M. Koyanagi and Peter T. Stone.
Family Judge John Bryant Jr. resigned from the bench last September. Nominated are: Michael F. Broderick, Nancy Ryan Harada, Ronette M. Kawakami, Christine E. Kuriyama, Robert LeClair and Shawna J. Sodersten.
The nominees were submitted by the Judicial Selection Commission to the Chief Justice of the Hawai'i Supreme Court. Anyone who would like to comment about the character and qualifications of any of the nominees should mail, fax or deliver written comments to: Chief Justice Ronald T.Y. Moon, Supreme Court of Hawai'i, 417 South King St., Honolulu, HI 96813, or fax 539-4703.
Comments must be postmarked by tomorrow.
WINDWARD O'AHU
Hikers safe after ordeal
Two women hikers were taken out of Kahana Valley by helicopter early today as Honolulu fire fighters completed a rescue operation that started last night. The women, in their early 20s, were not injured, said Honolulu Fire Department spokesman Capt. Kenison Tejada.
They were brought out safely today at 6:45 a.m. Two rescue specialists spent the night with the hikers after they were located at 9 p.m. last night.
The women had hiked into the valley at about 1:45 p.m. yesterday and were unable to make their way out, said Tejada. One of the women used a cell phone to contact a relative, who then reported the lost hikers to the Fire Department at 6:30 p.m.
CENTRAL O'AHU
Man hit on H-1 near Waikele
A 58-year-old man remained in critical condition today after being struck by a car on the H-1 Freeway near Waikele yesterday morning.
Shortly before 10:30 a.m. the man was trying to pick up debris from the west-bound lanes of the freeway near the Manager’s Drive overpass, when he was struck by a 2003 Dodge Stratus, according to police.
The man was taken to The Queen’s Medical Center in critical condition. The driver of the car was treated and released at the scene.
The man was not wearing a reflective orange vest, police said.
