Kenpo coach charged with assaulting boy

A man who is a mentor and kenpo coach to Leeward Oahu youth has been accused of molesting a boy after giving him alcohol.

An Oahu grand jury returned an indictment Wednesday charging James Vinano with third-degree sexual assault.

Circuit Judge Richard Perkins set bail at $50,000.

Deputy Prosecutor Vickie Kapp told Perkins that Vinano gave the boy straight vodka and a mixed drink that was 30 percent alcohol, and encouraged the boy to drink shots of alcohol at a party in March 2011. The boy got tired and asked Vinano to take him home, Kapp said.

On the way, Vinano stopped at Ewa Beach Community Park, where he molested the boy in his vehicle, Kapp said.

She said the boy told investigators Vinano may have also been molesting another boy.

State sets aside $147M for repair projects

The state has allotted $147 million for various state projects, including $75 million to fix roofs, plumbing and electrical systems in Hawaii schools.

The projects are part of a strategy to stimulate the state’s economy by generating jobs while kick-starting essential work, Gov. Neil Abercrombie said Wednesday.

The funds released include $12.5 million to build athletic facilities at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, $7.1 million for an electronic system for medical records and $12 million to buy land near Maui’s airport. The state also will spend $8 million to replace the roof and deck at the state Capitol.

FEMA funds to help mend damage on Kauai

LIHUE » The Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved more than $1.3 million for storm-related projects on Kauai.

The Kauai Civil Defense Agency says the federal funding will cover 75 percent of costs to repair or replace public property damaged by March rain. The county will cover the rest, with the Department of Public Works receiving the bulk of the money, mainly for road and culvert repairs.

Last April, President Barack Obama signed a disaster declaration for Hawaii, making it possible for the state to receive help from FEMA.

Professor wins $675,000 award to study cancer

A University of Hawaii at Hilo pharmacy professor has won a $675,000 career development award from the National Cancer Institute.

Dana-Lynn Koomoa-Lange’s award will support her research on treating cancer that affects children.

The university said Tuesday this is the first time UH-Hilo faculty has won the award, and the only time it has been given to a Native Hawaiian in the UH system.

Hilo College of Pharmacy Dean John Pezzuto said the award is highly competitive and prestigious. He described Koomoa-Lange as a talented scientist who is destined to become one of the college’s stars.

Koomoa-Lange received her bachelor’s degree in biology from San Diego State University and her doctorate from Brown University in Rhode Island. She joined the College of Pharmacy last year.

Injured man plucked from ledge on Lanai

Maui Fire Department personnel from Lanai and Kahului rescued a 47-year-old man who suffered a compound fracture to his left ankle after falling about 20 feet from a ledge at Sharks Bay, Lanai.

Firefighters reported that about 5:40 p.m., the man was found at the bottom of the 20-foot high ledge. The man was attempting to climb up the ledge, but lost his grip and footing and fell onto the rocks below, firefighters said.

The Fire Department helicopter flew the man from Sharks Bay to the Hulopoe Bay camping ground for transport by ambulance to Lanai Hospital. The patient was treated and was in stable condition.