Newswatch
The Council made no decision on her confirmation last night, taking under advisement a number of nominations, including Sullivan's and Bob Fishman's as managing director.
Testimony on Fishman's behalf was favorable. "Whatever task that has been put before Bob he has always accomplished," said George Waialeale, a union spokesman for electrical workers.
Representatives of the Sierra Club, Common Cause and League of Women Voters opposed confirmation of Sullivan as Mayor Jeremy Harris' nominee to head the Land Utilization Department. Hawaii's Thousand Friends filed written opposition against confirmation.
Seven other speakers, including a past director and an attorney, testified in her favor.
But Anzai did say one revenue-generating suggestion - taxing pensions - merits further discussion.
The commission is recommending that the taxing of pensions be phased in over "a reasonable amount of time." Once fully implemented, it is estimated to garner the state $80 million annually, according to the state Tax Department.
Anzai said yesterday his main concern with the commission's recommendations is that they weren't framed within the context of the state's tight budget condition and the administration's budget-balancing efforts.
One recommendation alone - to expand the tax brackets and reduce the number of tax rates - would cause the state to lose $161.2 million.
State Rep. Nathan Suzuki (D, Moanalua Valley), chairman of the House taxation subcommittee, said he and House Finance Chairman Calvin Say (D, Palolo) will look closely at the suggestion to tax pensions.
Both are contract hires, says Transportation Director Kazu Hayashida.
Alivado is being paid $68,000 while Moritomo, who was administrator of the state's Special Services or Sheriff's office, is getting $55,000.
New Public Safety Director Keith Kaneshiro has named Jeff Yamashita to succeed Alivado and Roger Lau as Moritomo's successor.
A resolution ordering the city to stop negotiations with Kamehameha Schools/Bishop Estate, Maunalua Associates and Kaiser Aluminum and Chemical Corp. was approved 9-0 by the City Council yesterday.
The city went to the landowners several years ago to negotiate a settlement for a number of lawsuits involving land disputes. The landowners said the city acted improperly when it downzoned Hawaii Kai properties to prevent development during the 1980s.
Proponents of the settlement warn that the city must now go back to court involving lawsuits that could cost the city $100 million or more in compensation.
The state Land Court has asked that the fee for filing any petition after the original registration be raised from $1 to $2 and for any order after that from $5 to $10.
The Land Court also wants a $2 fee charged for a certified copy of a pleading or other paper subsequent to the initial filing except for the record on appeal.
Submit comments on the proposed fees no later than March 15 to the State of Hawaii Judiciary, Public Affairs Office, 417 S. King St., Room 206-C, Honolulu 96813-2902. Facsimile number is 539-4801.
Saldy Marzan is being held in lieu of $320,000 bail for second-degree murder and firearm violations.
Earlier yesterday, divers recovered the gun he allegedly used in the water near Pier 12. The weapon was wrapped in a plastic shopping bag.
Marzan is accused of shooting his estranged wife, Arlene, 25, at a Kalihi Street apartment.
He has a history of domestic abuse, having been arrested three times last year for offenses against his wife.
Freedus Wilton is being held in lieu of $66,000 bail.
He also is charged with robbery and burglary.
Freedus was arrested yesterday while walking along South Kihei Road, said police Lt. Glenn Cuomo.
He said police believe a man entered the ground-floor condominium through a sliding glass door before 3 a.m. Monday to commit a theft.
The 49-year-old woman, who was asleep in the living room, was stabbed in the back and neck. She was between guarded and satisfactory condition today in Maui Memorial Hospital.
Her sons, ages 24 and 26, were injured while coming to her aid. They have been released from the hospital.
Cuomo said the man took some diving equipment and dropped it outside the condominium as he fled.
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