Irons remembered

Champion surfer Andy Irons will be memorialized tomorrow in Hanalei on Kauai’s North Shore, where he grew up. Services at the "Pine Trees" surf break at Waioli Beach Park begin at 11 a.m. and will include a traditional "paddle-out" ceremony.

City appeals $1.7 million state fine

The city filed an appeal yesterday of a $1.7 million fine imposed by the state Health Department after the city dumped truckloads of concrete slabs in Mailiili Stream.

On June 13 the Health Department issued the fine, which was upheld by a state hearings officer Oct. 15.

The state said the city dumped 257 truckloads of concrete from sidewalk paving projects from February 2008 to May 2009. The city said the slabs were to support heavy equipment used to clear vegetation in the channel, and planned to move the slabs to a landfill.

The state said the city completed the vegetation removal in April 2008 but continued to place concrete debris in the stream.

Court lets manslaughter verdict stand

The Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals affirmed yesterday the manslaughter conviction of a man who punched a North Carolina visitor who later died.

Less Schnabel Jr. of Nanakuli was found guilty by a jury of recklessly causing the death of Christopher Reuther, 34, at the parking lot of Zablan Beach Park near midnight on April 22, 2007. Schnabel was sentenced to a maximum 20-year prison term.

Reuther, an honors graduate from the University of North Carolina, was visiting the University of Hawaii William S. Richardson School of Law, where he had been offered a scholarship in the environmental law program.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Ethics panel nixes gripe about Naeole

HILO » The Hawaii County Board of Ethics has dismissed a complaint filed against County Council Vice Chairwoman Emily Naeole.

Former Naeole campaign volunteer Toni Robert had accused Naeole of using her staff and office for campaign work in violation of the county’s Code of Ethics.

The Hawaii Tribune-Herald quoted board member David Heaukulani as saying Robert presented no evidence to support her allegations.

Last year the board found Naeole violated the Code of Ethics by making thumbs-down gestures to people she disagreed with while they testified about a proposed Council reorganization.

Naeole lost her bid for re-election to Fred Blas earlier this month.

Movie about 1-armed surfer due April 15

A movie about a teenage surfer from Kauai who lost her left arm in a shark attack in 2003 is scheduled to be released nationwide April 15.

"Soul Surfer" is based on Bethany Hamilton’s memoir, "Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family and Fighting to Get Back on the Board."

It stars Dennis Quaid, Helen Hunt, AnnaSophia Robb and Carrie Underwood in her film debut.

Hamilton says she hopes the story continues to inspire people around the world to overcome challenges they face.

The movie was shot on location in Hawaii.

Kapoi to run inauguration celebration

Gov.-elect Neil Abercrombie has named the founder of a Maui-based events and record production firm as the coordinator of his inaugural events.

Karey Oura Kapoi, founder of Island Soul Entertainment and also the Maui coordinator for Abercrombie’s gubernatorial campaign, will oversee the events.