State roundup for July 3

Not guilty pleas in boy’s death

WAILUKU, Maui (AP) — A Maui man and his live-in girlfriend have pleaded not guilty in the slaying of the man’s 4-year-old son.

Kyle McKeown and his girlfriend Grace Lee-Nakamoto were arraigned Monday and continue to be held on $1 million bail. They were indicted on second-degree murder charges. According to an affidavit, the boy suffered injuries most likely coming from someone stomping on him while he was lying on the ground.

The Maui prosecuting attorney’s office says trial is set for the week of Sept. 17.

A bail hearing for Lee-Nakamoto, 27, is scheduled for Thursday.

Oahu councilor is fined $6,500

HONOLULU (AP) — A Honolulu councilman has been fined the largest amount imposed by the city’s ethics commission.

The Honolulu Ethics Commission said Monday Nestor Garcia is fined $6,500 for not disclosing conflicts of interest regarding rail transit and development bills.

The commission says that as executive director of the Kapolei Chamber of Commerce, Garcia should have filed conflict of interest disclosures for 52 bills and resolutions when chamber board members testified in support of rail transit and other measures.

The commission found none of the outcomes of the measures would have changed after Garcia’s vote was subtracted.

Garcia apologizes and says he did not intend to be misleading or deceitful.

He has paid the fine, which the commission says is the largest fine imposed on a city official.

Senate confirms 2 judicial picks

HONOLULU (AP) — The Hawaii State Senate has confirmed two judicial appointments.

In a special session last week, Richard Pollack was confirmed as an associate justice to the state Supreme Court and Peter Cahill was confirmed as a Maui Circuit Court judge.

Both were nominated by Gov. Neil Abercrombie. However, the state Judicial Selection Committee had to step in to appoint Cahill after the governor failed to do so within 30 days of when he was sent a list of applicants. Abercrombie’s appointment was made two days late.

Pollack has been a Circuit Court judge since 2000. He has also served as a substitute justice and substitute Intermediate Court of Appeals judge.

Cahill is a Maui attorney concentrating on injury and wrongful death cases.

New Hawaii schools official is retired Marine

HONOLULU (AP) — A retired Marine colonel will oversee school facilities and support services for Hawaii’s public school system.

Ray L’Heureux (LA’-rue) begins his $115,000 appointment Monday, minus a 5 percent pay cut all Department of Education officials have taken.

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reports his 30-year military career includes flying Marine One for Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama.

He replaces Randy Moore, who is retiring.

Schools Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi calls him a “visionary leader.”

He comes into the school system as it embarks on a comprehensive master plan of school facilities and cuts to school bus service.

He says he loves challenges and plans to talk with directors of divisions in his officer to understand their biggest obstacles.

His two children attended public schools and graduated from Kalaheo High.

Reward in Kauai woman’s murder doubles to $20K

LIHUE, Kaui (AP) — An anonymous donation has doubled the reward for information in the murder of a Kauai woman.

It’s been about two years since Amber Jackson was found murdered. The Garden Island reported Monday the individual donor increased the reward to $20,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of her killer.

The 57-year-old Riverside, Calif., native was living on Kauai for about 10 years before her body was discovered in a remote, wooded area of the island by a pig hunter in 2010. She had previously been reported as a missing person. An autopsy determined the Hawaii State Teachers Association employee was a victim of an assault.

Kauai police say the investigation continues.