UH pay cut fight heads to court

The union that represents University of Hawaii professors is asking a state court to halt planned pay cuts that UH President M.R.C. Greenwood wants to impose.

The University of Hawaii Professional Assembly filed a request for a temporary restraining order yesterday with the Oahu Circuit Court.

The papers also ask the court to force arbitration of a grievance the union filed over a 6.7 percent salary reduction Greenwood has ordered to start this month.

“;The university administration is disappointed with the union's legal action, and we intend to oppose UHPA's request for an injunction halting the temporary pay reductions,”; Greenwood said last night. “;The reductions are necessary to stabilize the financial crisis at the University of Hawaii.”;

Union Executive Director J.N. Musto and Greenwood separately have agreed to personally participate in the next contract negotiating session, as yet not scheduled.

Commerce chief gets nod for appeals judge

Gov. Linda Lingle is nominating the head of the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to be a judge on the Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals.

Lawrence Reifurth was nominated yesterday and will require confirmation by the state Senate. Lingle selected Reifurth from five candidates who were submitted last month by the Judicial Selection Commission.

He has served as the commerce and consumer affairs director since March 2007 and was deputy director during the previous four years.

He also has been state insurance commissioner, a deputy attorney general and a private lawyer.

Lingle has appointed five judges to the appellate court, 13 to the Circuit Court and two justices to the Hawaii Supreme Court.

10-foot shark sighting in Maili prompts signs

A police officer spotted a 10-foot shark yesterday afternoon at Maili Beach Park.

The shark was seen at 1:32 p.m. yesterday in near-shore waters off the park, located at 87-021 Farrington Highway.

Lifeguards cleared the waters and posted warning signs, the Emergency Services Department reported.

Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Services Division will reassess the situation this morning to determine whether warning signs will be needed.

Turbin announces run for Djou's Council seat

Former Hawaii State Bar Association President Rich Turbin plans to seek the City Council seat representing East Honolulu to Ala Moana.

Turbin announced his candidacy at a news conference yesterday in Kapiolani Park, in the district.

In addition to his bar association post in 2005, Turbin also has served as chairman and member of the Waialae-Kahala Neighborhood Board and as a director of the Kahala Community Association.

Turbin says he already has raised about $115,000 since telling family and friends of his plans last year.

Issues he plans to address in his campaign include infrastructure repairs, such as roads and sewers, traffic and illegal camping in public parks.

“;I think we have to be decisive and make sure that the beaches are available for all the people of Honolulu and our tourists, not just for illegal campers,”; Turbin said in an interview.

District 4 is currently represented by Councilman Charles Djou, who is in his second term and barred by term limits from running again.

Saddle Road traffic to see some hiccups

Army officials are warning Big Island motorists to expect traffic delays on Saddle Road and other major highways from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. tomorrow.

Oahu-based military units will run convoys on Akoni Pule, Queen Kaahumanu and Mamalahoa highways and Waikoloa and Saddle roads.

The Army is coordinating with Big Island authorities.