Murder suspect enters plea of not guilty

Teddy Munet

A 29-year-old Kaneohe man pleaded not guilty Monday morning in the shooting death of his friend William "Billy" Fallau.

Circuit Judge Richard Perkins set Oct. 8 as the trial date for Teddy Munet following his plea. Munet was being held in Oahu Community Correctional Center unable to post $1 million bail.

Munet is charged with second-degree murder, second-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, possession of drug paraphernalia and three firearms counts.

Hikers found Fallau’s body July 19 at the Kawainui State Park Reserve. He had been shot in the back of his neck.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Shortfall spurs UH-Hilo to cut energy costs

University of Hawaii-Hilo officials are looking at ways to make the campus more energy efficient after underestimating the utility budget by about a half-million dollars.

Vice Chancellor for Administrative Affairs Marcia Sakai said the campus budgeted

$5.1 million for utility costs in fiscal year 2011-12, but anticipated total spending is closer to $5.5 million. She said the bulk of that will be for electricity.

The Hawaii Tribune-Herald reported that Chancellor Donald Straney told the Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce last month that the hefty bill means having to spend less on other things, such as faculty hires. He has also appointed Sakai to find ways to cut utility costs.

Lack of staff forces library to reduce hours

The Pahala Public and School Library on Hawaii island will be open only one day a week due to a staffing shortage.

The library, normally open three days a week, will be open on Mondays only, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., until further notice.

However, the book drop will remain open.