Honolulu Police Commission member resigns ADVERTISING Honolulu Police Commission member resigns HONOLULU (AP) — A member of the Honolulu Police Commission is resigning after raising concerns about a lack of diversity in the process of selecting the department’s next chief.
Honolulu Police Commission member resigns
HONOLULU (AP) — A member of the Honolulu Police Commission is resigning after raising concerns about a lack of diversity in the process of selecting the department’s next chief.
Luella Costales, appointed to the commission in 2012, submitted her resignation Monday.
She said she’s resigning after complaining there’s not enough diversity among members of a panel who scored the written exam that was given to candidates vying for the job.
There were no women on the panel, and all four members are from law enforcement backgrounds, she said.
The commission hasn’t released the names of the semifinalists. A new chief is needed for the beleaguered department after Louis Kealoha agreed to retire amid a federal investigation.
Honolulu Zoo names new director
HONOLULU (AP) — The Honolulu Zoo named its next director, who will be tasked with reclaiming the zoo’s accreditation after it was stripped in March 2016.
Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell announced Monday that Linda Santos is the new director, the zoo’s sixth leader and its first female director.
Santos has more than 30 years experience in animal care and welfare and served as assistant zoo director after former Director Baird Fleming resigned in late 2016.
The zoo director is paid between $102,192 and $170,100 per year.
UH study finds doctor shortage worsening
HONOLULU (AP) — The state’s doctor shortage is worsening, except on Kauai, a University of Hawaii assessment found.
The total shortage has grown to 769, compared with 707 in 2016.
The university’s Physician Workforce Assessment found Oahu needs 381 physicians, up from 339 last year, while the Big Island is short 196 providers, compared with the 183 needed last year. Maui County has a deficit of 139, up from 125, while Kauai needs 53 doctors, down from 62.
Primary care providers are the largest group in short supply, followed by infectious disease specialists on Oahu and Kauai, colorectal surgeons on the Big Island and geriatric doctors in Maui County.
Admiral to retire after word of no promotion
HONOLULU (AP) — The Navy’s top commander in the Pacific says he’s retiring after being passed over for potential promotion to lead all U.S. forces in the region.
U.S. Pacific Fleet commander Adm. Scott Swift said in a statement Monday he was told he won’t be the Navy’s nominee to succeed Adm. Harry Harris at Pacific Command, which oversees all branches of the military.
Swift was leading the Pacific Fleet when Navy ships were recently involved in two separate deadly collisions with other vessels.
Harris took over Pacific Command in May 2015. The command oversees U.S. forces in a geographic area from California to India.
