Indictment deadline waived in case over military secrets
The attorney for a Hawaii defense contractor accused of giving military secrets to his Chinese girlfriend says he’s agreed to waive an indictment deadline for his client.
Benjamin Bishop would normally face indictment this week under a federal law saying defendants must be indicted no more than 30 days after their arrest.
But his attorney, Birney Bervar, said Monday he agreed to waive the deadline for the opportunity to view the prosecution’s evidence.
The prosecution and defense must find a place where Bervar may review the evidence because much of it is classified.
Defense attorneys went to a secure room in the Honolulu federal courthouse to view evidence.
Investigators say Bishop told his girlfriend secrets about nuclear weapons, missile defense and other issues.
Blasting at construction site set for Thursday afternoon
The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands is alerting Hawaii island residents, business owners and property owners that its contractor will conduct blasting activities Thursday for rock excavation at the construction site of the Lalamilo subdivision in Waimea.
The public is being advised that Blasting Technology will do the work between 2 and 5:30 p.m.
For questions or concerns about the blasting, residents can contact Blasting Technology at 874-5554.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Maui man guilty of hitting driver must apologize
A Kahului man who pleaded no contest to punching a Maui bus driver has been ordered by a judge to attend anger management classes and write an apology.
The Maui News reported that 22-year-old Haloti Mahe must write a letter of apology to Punahele Hoopii, a Roberts Hawaii employee who reported being punched in early May.
Deputy Public Defender Danielle Sears said Mahe has already written the letter.
Hoopii was the driver on a Maui Bus commuter service run from West Maui to Central Maui when she mistakenly thought Mahe was a passenger who had urinated in the bus several months earlier. When she told Mahe to get off the bus, he punched her in the face.
Changes made to zoning terms will affect plans
Kauai County officials are reminding the public that changes to the county’s Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance regarding the definitions of "dwelling unit," "dwelling, multiple family" and "kitchen" took effect Monday.
The county Planning Commission approved the changes to county administrative rules in February.
Architects, contractors, developers and the public are advised that the new rules require certain changes to design elements and some notations on plans submitted to the Planning Department. The rules can be viewed at www.kauai.gov in the Planning Department’s resource documents section.
Copies of the rules may also be obtained at the Planning Department counter at the Lihue Civic Center. For information, call 241-4050.
