BOE launches search for new superintendent

The state Board of Education has formed a seven-member ad hoc committee to develop a search process to find a new schools superintendent.

The board said Wednesday that the committee will be headed by Carol Mon Lee, with Eileen Clarke serving as vice chairwoman. Other committee members are Margaret Cox, Kim Coco Iwamoto, Karen Knudsen, John Penebacker and Herbert Watanabe.

The ad hoc committee is set to hold its first meeting at 1 p.m. Tuesday in room 404 of the Queen Liliuokalani Building, 1390 Miller St., Honolulu.

On Jan. 11, the board appointed Kathryn Matayoshi to serve as interim superintendent of the Department of Education following the Dec. 31 retirement of Schools Superintendent Patricia Hamamoto.

Committees to hear bills curbing use of fireworks

Two state Senate committees will consider a pair of measures tomorrow that seek to curtail the use of legal and illegal fireworks in Hawaii.

One measure, SB 2052, would hike fees on the purchase of consumer fireworks, increase penalties on fireworks violations and transfer the proceeds to the state. The second bill, SB 2053, would allow counties to use some proceeds to improve enforcement.

A hearing will be held at 1:45 p.m. tomorrow in conference room 224 at the state Capitol by the committees on public safety and transportation.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Big Island council rejects pot proposal

HILO » The Hawaii County Council has voted down a resolution urging state lawmakers to decriminalize the cultivation, possession and use of marijuana.

Council members on Friday rejected the pot proposal from North Kona Councilman Kelly Greenwell on a 5-2 vote, with two members absent.

In opposing the measure, Councilman Ka'u Guy Enriques said he does not want Hawaii “;to be the leader in marijuana.”; One reason he ran for office, Enriques says, is that he disapproved of the Legislature's earlier decision to make marijuana use by adults the lowest priority for law enforcement.

Only Greenwell and Puna Councilwoman Emily Naeole-Beason voted in favor of the resolution.