Baby’s death gets man 20 years

A circuit judge sentenced a 37-year-old Hawaii island man Tuesday to a maximum 20 years in prison for the death of 3-year-old Marley Makanani.

Ezekiel Wakinekona pleaded guilty June 8 to manslaughter in the Jan. 15 death of Marley, who suffered brain damage from a near drowning, head trauma and abdominal injuries.

Court affidavits showed Wakinekona found the 3-year-old partially submerged in the bathtub. She was in a coma from the near drowning and physical abuse. The emergency room doctor found several bruises on her legs and a laceration on her hip consistent with child abuse.

Judge Ronald Ibarra sentenced Wakinekona to 20 years’ imprisonment to run concurrently with one year for abuse of Marley’s mother and two sisters, ages 2 and 6.

Deputy Prosecutor Shannon Kagawa said Marley’s mother, Tasha Nihau-Lindsey, addressed Wakinekona directly in court, saying, "‘I forgive you,’ and ‘I love you,’" and referred to Marley as "my little baby" and "my Marley," Kagawa said.

Nihau-Lindsey had left her three daughters in the care of Wakinekona and his wife, her relative.

Lawmaker recovers from illness

State Rep. Clift Tsuji (D, Hilo-Greenwood), who had been suffering from pneumonia, was released from Hilo Medical Center on Monday night.

"The excellent medical team, hospital staff, and the encouraging support from the community were greatly appreciated and contributed to my recovery," Tsuji said in a statement.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Hilo man faces charges in privacy breach

HILO » A Hilo man has been indicted on charges for being a peeping Tom for watching women at a hostel.

Paul Waathmad was charged with second-degree violation of privacy and second-degree unauthorized entry in a dwelling. Bail is set at $12,000.

Hawaii Tribune-Herald reported Tuesday a police spokeswoman says he allegedly peered into a window at the Hilo Tropical Gardens Hostel to watch a woman changing clothes. He later allegedly entered a room and opened a shower curtain while a different woman was showering.

Hostel owner Patricia Owens says the incidents are especially disturbing because a public charter school is across the street.

Copper thieves hit Puhi, Kauai

Thieves have stolen or attempted to steal copper lines owned by Kauai Island Utility Cooperative four times since July.

Equipment in Puhi was stolen in the latest incident, which was discovered Monday. About 4:30 p.m. a blown fuse occurred in Huleia Valley. KIUC workers found that about 600 feet of uninsulated copper had been stolen. The scrap value of the copper is estimated at $150, according to the utility company.

On July 3, someone used a chain to pull down power lines on Maalo Road near Wailua Falls, stealing about $1,500 worth of copper.

Copper wiring also was stolen from poles a couple of weeks later in two separate incidents on Ihu Road and Halewili Road in Kalaheo. In a news release, spokeswoman Shelley Paik said the wiring was stolen after the thief or thieves cut down the poles.