Officer, co-defendant released on bail
A federal judge granted the release Wednesday of Honolulu police officer Michael Steven Chu and his co-defendant pending their trial on charges that they conspired to possess and distribute marijuana.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Richard L. Puglisi ordered Chu and Athena Sui Lee each released on $25,000 unsecured, signature bonds. They also will be on electronically monitored home confinement, and Chu must be in the custody of his father. The U.S. Attorney’s Office had asked Puglisi to order Chu and Lee held pending trial with no opportunity for bail.
Lee’s lawyer, Stuart Fujioka, asked Puglisi to release his client so she can be with her children.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration said its agents seized eight marijuana plants sent to Lee’s apartment from California, found 20 plants growing in the apartment and found another 10 to 20 plants in Chu’s Mililani Mauka home. The DEA said it also found a pound of processed marijuana in Chu’s vehicle.
Clothing, food sought for Fiji flood victims
Fijian community organizations in Laie are holding a relief drive this week to help victims of recent flooding in Fiji.
People may drop off donations of blankets, canned food and children’s clothing at Laie Shopping Center, in the space between Jeans Warehouse and Da Kine Wireless. The drive began Tuesday and will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. today and Friday. The drive is not accepting monetary donations. People who wish to donate money are asked to contact the Fiji Red Cross Society at www.redcross.com.fj.
Inoke Suguturaga, Fiji Island manager at the Polynesian Cultural Center, and his wife, Ateca, are organizing the drive in partnership with BYU-Hawaii Fijian Club, Fiji Alumni and the local Fijian community.
Canadian visitor dies off Big Isle
Hawaii County police say a Canadian man apparently drowned off the west coast of Hawaii island.
Police say 59-year-old William Savage of Okotoks, Alberta, was part of a scuba-diving tour off Kailua-Kona when a large surge reportedly knocked him off some rocks and into the water Wednesday.
Tour members pulled him onto the boat and began CPR. Emergency workers took him to Kona Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. An autopsy will be performed.
Teen’s drowning death confirmed
A 17-year-old Keaau boy whose body was found Saturday died of drowning, an autopsy confirmed.
Hawaii County police released results Wednesday of an autopsy of John Joel Nicholas Buentipo.
Buentipo was swimming near Shipman Beach in Keaau on Friday when he reportedly experienced difficulties in the water and was unable to swim back to shore, police said. Buentipo’s body was found Saturday morning.
Driver licensing placed on hold
The driver licensing office at the Waimea Police Station will be closed today and Friday, Hawaii County said. The office will reopen on Monday.
During the closure, residents may have their driver license transactions completed at the driver license office at the West Hawaii Civic Center, 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway in Kailua-Kona, or at the Hilo police station at 349 Kapiolani St.
For more information, call the Hilo office at 961-2223 or visit www.hawaiicounty.gov/finance-vrl.