Hours cut for viewing lava on the Puna Coast
HILO >> The hours for public viewing of lava on the Puna Coast will be scaled back beginning Sunday, Hawaii County officials announced yesterday.Lava viewing will begin each day at noon, a change from the present 10 a.m. daily start. The daily ending time will remain the same, with the last cars allowed in at 8:15 p.m. and all viewers out by 10 p.m.
The change was made due to an "analysis of attendance data and the need to consider the cost of operations," the county said.
The county charges $5 per car and $20 per commercial passenger carrier for viewing.
Maui mayor kicks off budget meetings in Hana
WAILUKU >> Mayor James "Kimo" Apana is meeting today with Hana residents as he begins to prepare his annual budget.The mayor's meeting at Helene Hall today will be followed by meetings with residents on Lanai at the Lanai Senior Center on Monday, at the Kihei Community Center in South Maui on Wednesday, at the Wailuku Community Center in Central Maui on Oct. 25, and at the Lahaina Civic Center in West Maui on Oct. 30.
The meetings begin at 6 p.m.
Man pleads innocent in isle-based Marine's death
NORTH PLATTE, Neb. >> A 19-year-old man has pleaded innocent to manslaughter in the death of a U.S. Marine stationed in Hawaii.Nathan C. Zeller entered his plea Monday in Lincoln County District Court. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison and a $25,500 fine.
Jeff Dobson was found dead Sept. 8 at a friend's house. The 20-year-old Marine was stationed in Hawaii and was home on leave visiting his parents in North Platte.
Court records indicate Dobson had attended a party at Zeller's home the previous night. Police said the two fought briefly before Dobson left. Dobson returned with friends, and police said he and Zeller fought again, this time in the street.
Court records indicate Dobson was knocked down during the fight, and his head struck the pavement.
He lost consciousness for a brief time and then was taken to his friend's home to spend the night.
No weapons were used during the fights, police said.
The Honolulu Star-Bulletin strives to make its news report fair and accurate. If you have a question or comment about news coverage, call Publisher and Editor in Chief John Flanagan at 529-4748 or email him at jflanagan@starbulletin.com. Corrections and clarifications
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHONOLULU Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
Former Marine arrives today for murder trial
The former Kaneohe Marine charged with the 1975 murder of a 13-year-old Kailua girl is expected to be extradited to Hawaii today.Two Honolulu police detectives are escorting Delmar J. Edmonds, 46, from Indiana to stand trial for the murder of Dawn "Dede" Bustamante.
Edmonds has been in custody in Indiana since July, unable to post $500,000 bail.
Homeless man arrested in judiciary harassment
Honolulu police arrested a 48-year-old homeless man at District Court yesterday for allegedly sending harassing letters to judges and other members of the state judiciary for the past three years.The man was arrested as he was dropping off a letter to a judge, police said. He was booked for harassment then released.
More details of the case were not immediately available.
Assault suspect arrested after stint at Queen's
A 25-year-old mental hospital patient was arrested yesterday on charges of beating his girlfriend and breaking bones in her face earlier this month, police said.Police said that the suspect, a 25-year-old male, confronted the 26-year-old woman Oct. 8 at her house in Kaimuki and accused her of fooling around, police said.
Police said the woman suffered facial bone fractures and was hospitalized.
The suspect was taken to Queen's Medical Center for a psychiatric evaluation.
Police arrested the suspect for assault after he was released yesterday from the Kahi Mohala Psychiatric Hospital.
