Biden visits Arizona Memorial

Vice President Joe Biden arrived Wednesday in Honolulu and visited the USS Arizona Memorial with his daughter-in-law and granddaughter.

The White House said Biden was met by Adm. Robert Willard, commander of the Pacific Command, and Adm. Patrick Walsh, commander of the Pacific Fleet.

He was accompanied by his daughter-in-law, Kathleen, and granddaughter Naomi.

Joe Biden arrived at Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe early Wednesday morning on his way back to Washington from an eight-day visit to China, Mongolia and Japan.

Air Force 2 touched down at 5:45 a.m. after a flight from Yokota Air Base, Japan.

Biden will give remarks and meet with Kaneohe Marines and their families this afternoon before taking off for Washington.

Biden, 68, spent four days traveling in China with counterpart Xi Jinping, who is the front-runner to succeed President Hu Jintao in 2013. The vice president said he made the visit to the biggest foreign holder of U.S. debt to build a relationship with Xi and wanted to make clear that the U.S. economy is strong and that the nation is still a Pacific power.

Doctor’s guilty pleas stand

Former Kauai physician Dr. Harold C. Spear III, who accused his lawyer of forcing him to plead guilty to federal charges, will not be allowed to withdraw his guilty pleas.

In a 76-page order issued Wednesday, U.S. District Judge David Ezra said Spear’s guilty pleas were voluntary and not coerced. Ezra also said Spear’s change of heart regarding his guilty pleas does not warrant withdrawing them.

Spear pleaded guilty to unlawfully prescribing powerful pain medication to people based solely on telephone conversations with them.

In addition to the federal charges, Spear is awaiting sentencing in state court for pre-signing blank prescription forms.

FBI agents arrest Wisconsin fugitive at house on Maui

FBI agents here have arrested a fugitive from Wisconsin wanted there on theft charges.

Agents arrested Timothy Kosier, 45, about 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at a vacation rental home in Kihei, Maui, the FBI said. Kosier made an initial appearance Wednesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Richard Puglisi in Honolulu.

A federal criminal complaint says Kosier was a maintenance supervisor in the Water Resources Department for the city of Beloit, Wis. Between February and April, Kosier misused his authority to purchase supplies for the city, the complaint says. The Beloit Daily News reported that city officials said at least $150,000 was stolen.

A detention hearing is scheduled Friday in federal court on how Kosier will be returned to Wisconsin.

Abercrombie names Mizuno to UH regents

Gov. Neil Abercrombie has appointed former Hawaii County Managing Director Barry Mizuno to the University of Hawaii Board of Regents.

The governor’s office said Monday he appointed Mizuno last week to fill the Hawaii County seat on the board.

Mizuno, 63, retired from Puna Geothermal Venture in 2006. He was Hawaii County managing director from 1990 to 1992.

Access road to Nawiliwili jetty to close on Sunday

Kauai County announced the utility access road to the Nawiliwili jetty will be closed to the public Sunday between 8 and 10 a.m. while the Kauai Fire Department conducts helicopter rescue operations training.

Access to Nawiliwili Park will not be disrupted.