HONOLULU (AP) — A new Hawaii law removes the state university president’s power to serve as the chief procurement officer for construction contracts. University head has less power ADVERTISING HONOLULU (AP) — A new Hawaii law removes the state university
University head
has less power
HONOLULU (AP) — A new Hawaii law removes the state university president’s power to serve as the chief procurement officer for construction contracts.
The new law goes into effect next month. The measure comes just weeks after university President M.R.C. Greenwood announced her plan to retire.
The law gives the state procurement office the authority to manage construction contracts instead of the president.
The law also creates an independent audit committee within the university Board of Regents to review some aspects of the school’s management.
The Legislature says the management of university funds is “a matter of statewide concern.”
Almost a year ago, the university was the victim of a scam that cost the school $200,000. The scandal brought the university’s finances and management under increased scrutiny.
Man is released
in officer crash
WAIANAE, Oahu (AP) — A man arrested on suspicion of drunken driving in a crash that left a Honolulu police officer in critical condition has been released.
Police say the suspect arrested for first-degree negligent injury, driving under the influence and driving without a license was released Sunday pending further investigation. Police say the officer remains hospitalized in critical condition Monday. He’s a 13-year veteran of the force assigned to Kapolei.
Police say the suspect rear-ended the officer on Friday night in Makaha and then hit a truck carrying nine people.
The collision sent the officer’s SUV through a brick wall of a home along Farrington Highway.
Hawaii hotels have best April
HONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii hotels are reporting they’ve experienced their best April ever for room revenue and average daily room rates.
Hotels earned $276 million in room revenues in April, the start of the off-peak season.
The numbers were released by Hospitality Advisors LLC and Smith Travel Research.
The survey included data from 159 properties with 48,178 rooms.
Man rides truck into the ocean
LIHUE, Kauai (AP) — Kauai police have arrested a suspected drunken driver after he drove his pickup truck into the ocean.
Police said Norman Akana Jr., 38, of Lihue was driving his truck along the beach Saturday behind the Wailua Golf Course when a wave struck and pulled the vehicle into the surf. Akana was not injured.
Three tow companies were needed to pull the submerged Ford F-150 from the water.
Akan was arrested on suspicion of operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant, refusal to submit to testing and reckless driving.
Bail was set for $4,000.
