WAILUKU >> Extending the terms of Maui County Council members to four years from two is one possible change being discussed for the Maui County Charter. Maui commission considers
longer terms on CouncilThe Maui Charter Commission is charged with a 10-year update of the legal foundation for the county's government, and is nearing the end of its review of the document and preparing to decide what changes may be appropriate, officials said.
Any recommendations for amendments to the charter will go on the ballot for voters in November.
A four-year term for Council members is an issue that has surfaced numerous times since the commission began meeting in late April. Advocates say longer terms would let Council members become more familiar with county government without having to worry as much about getting re-elected.
Opponents say voters would not have an opportunity every two years to have Council members explain their actions.
Commission Chairwoman Terryl Vencl said the three other major issues, besides Council terms, are water, county planning and whether county funds should be set aside for the purchase of open space. Under the last proposal, 1 percent or more of the county's annual budget would be used to buy land that would remain undeveloped.
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>> State Sen. Colleen Hanabusa's district includes Maili. An A1 story on Friday incorrectly said it included Maile. Corrections and clarifications
>> The ashes of native Hawaiian community leader Myron Bennett "Pinky" Thompson will be scattered Saturday at Maunalua Bay. A story on A3 yesterday gave the wrong day. Those attending are asked to gather at 7 a.m. at the Hui Nalu Canoe Club paddling site at the Hawaii Kai boat ramp.
The Honolulu Star-Bulletin strives to make its news report fair and accurate. If you have a question or comment about news coverage, call Managing Editor Frank Bridgewater at 529-4791 or email him at fbridgewater@starbulletin.com.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHONOLULU Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
Pedestrian killed by truck was Honolulu man, 86
A medical examiner identified a pedestrian who was struck by a pickup truck Friday morning as 86-year-old Isao Nishikawa of Honolulu.Police said Nishikawa was crossing in a crosswalk on Kohou Street when he was hit by a Chevy Silverado driven by a 22-year-old man. Nishikawa was taken to Queen's Medical Center where he died Saturday.
WAIKIKI
Man arrested after being accused of theft, assault
A 20-year-old Waikiki man was arrested yesterday for robbery after he allegedly assaulted his ex-girlfriend and stole $10 from her two months ago.Police said the suspect got into an argument with his ex-girlfriend outside her Waikiki apartment around 7:10 p.m. on Oct. 26. He previously had given $10 to his ex-girlfriend, but demanded it back. The man then kicked and punched her, took $10 from her wallet and fled, police said.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Felony charge reduced to terroristic threatening
WAILUKU >> A Molokai man who allegedly fired a weapon to scare his girlfriend has had a felony charge against him reduced.Police initially charged Willie Ah Yee, 21, with attempted murder. But Deputy Prosecutor John Tam said the charge was reduced to terroristic threatening before Ah Yee was taken to Wailuku District Court for a preliminary hearing yesterday. The attempted-murder charge was reduced because the girlfriend remembered she had heard some shots but could not say the shots were fired at her, Tam said.
Police alleged the shots were fired near Kamuela's Cookhouse in Kualapuu on Molokai on Dec. 23, after the girlfriend and Ah Yee had an argument and she was driving away.
Wailuku District Judge Douglas Ige bound Ah Yee over for arraignment next Tuesday in Maui Circuit Court. His bail was set at $7,200.
