US won’t extradite American charged with murder

HONOLULU (AP) — The U.S. State Department says an American charged with murdering his wife in Tonga shouldn’t be extradited because he can’t get a fair trial there.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is denying the Kingdom of Tonga’s request to extradite Dean Jay Fletcher.

A U.S. judge in Hawaii ordered Fletcher’s release Wednesday.

Tonga prosecutors accuse Fletcher of beating his Canadian wife, Patricia Linne Kearney, to death last year, escaping police and sailing to American Samoa.

The U.S. is concerned Fletcher would be sentenced to death and that Tonga wouldn’t provide him with a lawyer for free.

Tonga Acting Attorney General Aminiasi Kefu said he’s disappointed. He said it’s unlikely the death penalty would have been imposed, and no one in Tonga receives free legal representation. He said Tonga’s system is fair.

Maui hospital ends charges for private postpartum rooms

WAILUKU, Maui (AP) — Maui Memorial Medical Center will no longer charge extra fees to mothers who want a private room after giving birth.

The Maui Health System announced the change Monday. The rate for a private postpartum room was $152 per night starting in 2009, and then jumped to $672 when Maui Health System took over the hospital’s operations July 1.

Maui Health System Director of Communications Chastell Ely said in July that when a patient requests a private room, space is not available for another patient. But all mothers who give birth now will get a private room, as long as one is available.

Since July 1, more than 400 babies have been born at the hospital. The average stay is about 40 hours, according to a hospital news release.

The hospital is working on other projects to improve the patient experience for moms, babies and visitors, including looking at room refurbishments and adding a lounge area for partners to rest, according to the release.

US won’t extradite American charged with murder

HONOLULU (AP) — The U.S. State Department says an American charged with murdering his wife in Tonga shouldn’t be extradited because he can’t get a fair trial there.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is denying the Kingdom of Tonga’s request to extradite Dean Jay Fletcher.

A U.S. judge in Hawaii ordered Fletcher’s release Wednesday.

Tonga prosecutors accuse Fletcher of beating his Canadian wife, Patricia Linne Kearney, to death last year, escaping police and sailing to American Samoa.

The U.S. is concerned Fletcher would be sentenced to death and that Tonga wouldn’t provide him with a lawyer for free.

Tonga Acting Attorney General Aminiasi Kefu said he’s disappointed. He said it’s unlikely the death penalty would have been imposed, and no one in Tonga receives free legal representation. He said Tonga’s system is fair.

Maui hospital ends charges for private postpartum rooms

WAILUKU, Maui (AP) — Maui Memorial Medical Center will no longer charge extra fees to mothers who want a private room after giving birth.

The Maui Health System announced the change Monday. The rate for a private postpartum room was $152 per night starting in 2009, and then jumped to $672 when Maui Health System took over the hospital’s operations July 1.

Maui Health System Director of Communications Chastell Ely said in July that when a patient requests a private room, space is not available for another patient. But all mothers who give birth now will get a private room, as long as one is available.

Since July 1, more than 400 babies have been born at the hospital. The average stay is about 40 hours, according to a hospital news release.

The hospital is working on other projects to improve the patient experience for moms, babies and visitors, including looking at room refurbishments and adding a lounge area for partners to rest, according to the release.