Hawai'i briefs

Advertiser Staff

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Hara confirmed as circuit judge

The state Senate yesterday unanimously confirmed the nomination of Hilo attorney Glenn Hara as Big Island circuit judge.

State chief labor negotiator Ted Hong was the original nominee, but the Senate rejected him last month by a 13-12 vote.

Hara, 57, a partner with Roehrig Roehrig Wilson & Hara, specialized in real-estate and commercial counseling and litigation. He is a former part-time district court judge and the son of former state lawmaker Stanley Hara.

The Senate also unanimously confirmed Hawai'i Supreme Court Chief Justice Ronald Moon's nomination of Big Island attorney Barbara Takase to the 3rd Circuit district court bench.

Kona man dies while surfing

A 41-year-old Kona man apparently drowned while surfing off Kahalu'u Beach Park yesterday afternoon, police said.

Police identified the man as Jeff Cecil of Holualoa. Witnesses told police that Cecil was surfing and fell off his board shortly after 5 p.m.

Friends found him face-down in the water and brought him to shore, police said. Cecil was pronounced dead at Kona Community Hospital at 6 p.m., they said.

HONOLULU

Kaimuki woman hit by van dies

An 84-year-old Kaimuki woman struck by a van Monday while crossing Kuhio Avenue in Waikiki died Tuesday night at The Queen's Medical Center.

The woman was hit by a van turning from Launiu Street onto Kuhio Avenue at 9:42 a.m. Monday.

She was O'ahu's 20th traffic fatality of the year and the ninth pedestrian to be killed.

LEEWARD O'AHU

Farrington crash victim identified

The medical examiner's office yesterday identified the 28-year-old man killed Tuesday when his pickup crashed on Farrington Highway near the Ko Olina Resort off-ramp as Kelly Momoa.

Momoa was an adult corrections officer at the Waiawa Correctional Facility. He was a former football standout for Wai'anae High School and College of the Redwoods in California.

EAST HONOLULU

Pastor to give notice on school

About 75 residents heard the head pastor of King's Cathedral — the church that will move into the old Times Supermarket in Niu Valley — promise Tuesday night that he would inform the community should the church decide to open a school.

Some residents have been vocal about not wanting the church to include a school when it opens.

The Maui-based church has no intention at this time of ousting tenants or changing the makeup of the center, said the Rev. James Marocco.

Construction is expected to be completed by the end of the summer.