State roundup for July 19

Hiring freeze at UH-Manoa

HONOLULU (AP) — The University of Hawaii Manoa is implementing a hiring freeze to reduce spending by $10 million.

As many as 70 positions will go unfilled this year.

Chancellor Tom Apple said the move will help avoid further tuition increases. This year, UH tuition increased by more than 7 percent.

Bob Cooney, an associate professor in the Office of Public Health Studies, said students in heavily impacted departments will be hurt most by the freeze.

Apple said the state reduced funding to the University of Hawaii by $75 million in recent years.

Rail project to be discussed

HONOLULU (AP) — The city Department of Planning and Permitting will be holding the first of several community workshops to discuss development around Honolulu rail transit stations near the airport.

Residents and workers in the area are encouraged to attend Tuesday’s workshop to share ideas about what should be developed in the area.

The airport area is one of the project’s transit-oriented developments. It’s one of eight being developed for the rail transit project’s 19 stations along the 20-mile route.

Officials envision transforming areas surrounding the stations into bustling and walkable communities with new housing, businesses and open spaces.

The workshop will be held at Aliamanu Elementary School’s cafeteria. It will be the first of three public workshops.

Plea deal in stolen iPad case

LIHUE, Kauai(AP) — A 46-year-old Kapaa woman has pleaded no contest to allegations she stole an iPad belonging to a member of the Kauai County Council.

In the plea deal, Karin Lehua Ho agreed to write a letter of apology to County Council Vice Chair Mason Chock, whose iPad was stolen in January.

The state has agreed to ask for felony probation and up to 30 days in jail for Ho.

Chock says he was new to the council and not much information was on the iPad, which was taken after he left it on a counter.

Chock has gotten the iPad back.

Sentencing for Ho is scheduled for Oct. 23.