Judge OKs charges of sexual assault in Maui pasture

A Maui judge has ruled there’s enough evidence to support sex assault charges against a man whose accuser says she initially lied about the alleged attack.

The 20-year-old Kula woman said in court she lied about knowing who tied her up and raped her in a Haiku pasture because she was afraid he would come after her and she would get in trouble for using drugs.

The Maui News reports that after detoxing from oxycodone she says she told a detective the truth. She testified Wednesday during a preliminary hearing for Philip Robbennolt-O’Connell, who is charged with sexual assault, kidnapping, terroristic threatening and other charges.

She says he promised her pills in exchange for a ride and they ended up in a secluded area.

Maui County adds double-decker bus to the No. 2 route

A double-decker bus joined Maui’s public bus fleet Saturday.

The county says the bus was purchased used for about $380,000. Its 90-passenger capacity will allow it to service the Kihei Islander No. 2 route, which has a large number of residents and tourists who use it daily to travel between central and south Maui.