“When you have a principal making substantially more than a CAS (complex area superintendent), that probably is not a policy you want to continue,” said board Chairman Don Horner. “Ask people to step up for more responsibilities, at some point
Governor appoints 30 to state boards
HONOLULU (AP) — Attorney and former Hawaii Democratic Party Chairwoman Lorraine Akiba has been appointed to the Public Utilities Commission.
Akiba’s appointment was one of 30 board and commission appointments announced by Gov. Neil Abercrombie Friday.
Other notable appointments include former Board of Education member Kim Coco Iwamoto to the Civil Rights Commission and Bank of Hawaii CEO Peter Ho to the Tax Review Commission.
Akiba, a partner at McCorriston Miller Mukai MacKinnon, heads the firm’s Environmental Practice Group. She held a similar position at Cades Schutte Flemming & Wright. She has also served as state Director of Labor and Industrial Relations.
Iwamoto’s legal background includes service at Volunteer Legal Services of Hawaii, the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii and the San Francisco Human Rights Commission.
Police release shooting details
HONOLULU (AP) — Police fired four gunshots during a standoff that killed an unarmed suspect at his Kauai home, neighbors said Friday in questioning officers’ use of deadly force on the man.
“He didn’t have any weapons,” said Roland Jordan, 40, who lives across the street from Richard Louis. “To me, four shots, that’s ridiculous.”
The 62-year-old’s death was the island force’s second fatal officer-involved shooting since December. It came after Chief Darryl Perry was put on leave this month while the county investigates an employee complaint.
Acting Chief Michael Contrades said Wednesday’s shooting is being investigated but appears “that the officers involved acted appropriately.”
State weighs fairness of pay
HONOLULU (AP) — Two Hawaii school principals earn more than the statewide district’s top superintendent, according to a state Department of Education analysis of salaries.
The average annual salary for 86 top-earning, school-level officials — mostly principals — is $130,500, with the highest at $155,800.
The average pay for complex area superintendents is $120,500 and $108,400 for assistant superintendents.
Schools Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi’s salary is capped by law at $150,000.
The average salary for high school principals nationwide was about $102,400 in 2010, according to the American Association of School Administrators.
The Board of Education wants the department to review pay scales for its complex- and state-level leaders and come up with a plan for increasing their salaries to reflect their duties.
“When you have a principal making substantially more than a CAS (complex area superintendent), that probably is not a policy you want to continue,” said board Chairman Don Horner. “Ask people to step up for more responsibilities, at some point we’ve got to be equitable in their pay.”