State roundup for July 17

Alcohol focus of murder trial

HONOLULU (AP) — The prosecution in the murder trial against the federal agent charged in a 2011 Waikiki shooting is trying to prove he was drunk.

Witnesses testified Monday he appeared intoxicated at the McDonald’s where the deadly altercation took place. Prosecutors say State Department Special Agent Christopher Deedy was drunk when he shot Kollin Elderts, of Kailua. The defense says the agent was acting in self-defense and only had some beer that night.

A Honolulu police officer who responded to the scene says Deedy was tending to the wounded Elderts but the agent’s breath smelled of alcohol.

The officer says Deedy told him he shot Elderts.

A former Marine who was at the restaurant says Deedy could hardly keep his eyes open and was mumbling.

$700,000 for
jobless program

HONOLULU (AP) — The U.S. Department of Labor has awarded Hawaii more than $700,000 to continue implementing a program to help the unemployed find work.

Hawaii will use the money to provide in-person assessments to jobless. The assessment will help people develop plans to find work based on their career interests and the labor market.

Participants will be referred to the American Job Center for services and training. The money will also help the state review claimant benefit eligibility to reduce improper payments.

Hygiene centers are proposed

HONOLULU (AP) — The Honolulu City Council is looking at a proposal to establish places where the homeless and others can take showers, use toilets and wash their clothes.

The measure introduced by Councilman Joey Manahan calls for Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s administration to look into hygiene centers.

The concept appears to be working in Seattle, where the Urban Rest stop has been operating for more than a decade.

Manahan says he’s confident the idea could work in downtown Honolulu, Waikiki or other places.