Suspect in credit union thefts denies guilt
A former armored-car worker pleaded not guilty Friday to stealing about $73,000 from the Hickam Federal Credit Union over a three-year period.
Steven Dagli was indicated by a federal grand jury on Aug. 30 with stealing cash from ATMs owned by the credit union from February 2008 to August 2011.
Dagli made his initial court appearance before U.S. District Judge Barry Kurren on Friday. He is being represented by court-appointed attorney Salina Althof.
Dagli’s bail was set at $25,000. Trial is scheduled to begin Nov. 6 before U.S. District Judge Leslie Kobayashi.
State submits request for NCLB waivers
Hawaii’s Department of Education has filed its application with the federal government asking for flexibility from some requirements of the No Child Left Behind law.
The department said it filed the waiver application with the U.S. Department of Education on Thursday.
Hawaii is among the states applying for waivers for the Bush-era law, which has drawn criticism that it’s a one-size-fits-all approach to defining student success. If approved, it would be in effect for the 2013-14 school year. Dozens of states have already been granted waivers by the Obama administration.
Hawaii education officials say public outreach on the application led to some modifications. Adding Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander as additional distinct ethnic subgroups is one of the modifications.
USS Hawaii makes port call in Philippines
The submarine USS Hawaii arrived Thursday at Subic Bay in the Philippines for a routine port call.
Citing an email from the U.S. Embassy in Manila, Bloomberg News said the sub joined the submarine tender USS Frank Cable, which arrived Monday at the former American naval base north of the Philippine capital.
The Hawaii is a Virginia-class, nuclear-powered, tactical attack submarine based at Pearl Harbor. The 132-member crew can launch Tomahawk land-attack missiles from 12 vertical launch system tubes and Mark 48 advanced-capability torpedoes from four 21-inch torpedo tubes.
UH-Maui, Takamatsu University sign pact
The University of Hawaii Maui College and Takamatsu University of Japan signed a memorandum Friday for cultural exchange.
The agreement seeks to promote international understanding and cooperation, dissemination of learning, strengthening of cultural ties and the establishment of educational and professional programs between the two institutions.
The president of Takamatsu University, Masamichi Tsukuda, traveled from Japan to sign the memorandum and tour the campus.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Public comment sought on plan for Pahoa park
The Hawaii County Department of Parks and Recreation will hold a meeting Monday for the public to comment on the Puna Regional Park that will be built in Pahoa.
Public feedback will be taken from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Pahoa Neighborhood Facility.
The department plans to build a regional park above the community center and Pahoa Aquatic Center.
Initial survey work is under way.
