Zoo director quitting after nearly 6 months

Honolulu Zoo Director Jeffrey Mahon announced last week that he is resigning, less than six months after starting the job.

Mahon cited personal reasons, city officials said. His last day is Jan. 11.

Assistant Director Baird Fleming will serve as acting director until a successor is picked.

Mahon, 53, was named zoo director in July 2012. He has extensive background working at aquariums and other underwater facilities.

Mahon was chosen from a field of 40 after former director Manuel Mollinedo resigned effective March 1. Mollinedo cited personal reasons.

Dentist is sued over girl’s brain damage

The parents of a 3-year-old girl who suffered severe brain damage and went into a coma after going to the dentist for a root canal are suing the dentist and the dentist’s Kailua practice.

Ashley and Evan Boyle filed their lawsuit against Dr. Lilly L. Geyer and Island Dentistry for Children in state court Monday.

The lawsuit claims that Geyer and Island Dentistry are responsible for the severe and permanent brain injuries suffered by Finley Puleo Boyle.

Finley remains in a coma at Kapiolani Medical Center.

The Boyles’ lawyer, Rick Fried, said a technician gave Finley an overdose of a mixture of drugs in preparation for a root canal on Dec. 3. When the girl suffered cardiac arrest during the procedure, neither Geyer nor the dental practice had an appropriate plan or procedures to respond to the emergency, according to the lawsuit.

Fried said Geyer had to call for help in reviving Finley from a pediatrician whose office was nearby. Someone in the practice also called 911.

Geyer could not be reached for comment.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Kapaa man, 58, identified as traffic victim

Kauai police have identified the man who died in a single-vehicle crash in Wailua on Sunday as Richard Dale Johnson.

Johnson, 58, of Kapaa died after the white Ford sport utility vehicle he was driving veered off a roadway, struck a tree and fell 30 feet down an embankment off Kuamoo Road.

Police said a motorcyclist passing through the area about 8:30 a.m. that same day heard cries for help. The motorcyclist checked the embankment and saw Johnson, who told him he had been stuck in his vehicle for several hours.

Police said the motorcyclist headed to a spot where he could get a cellphone signal and called 911. When he returned, Johnson didn’t respond when he called out to him.

Firefighters arrived, rappelled down the embankment and discovered Johnson had died.

The investigation of the crash is continuing.

County to apply protective seal on Maui roads

Traffic will be restricted in the Kaanapali Hillside subdivision in the Puukolii area of Maui from Jan. 7 through Feb. 28 as the county Department of Public Works applies a protective sealant to roadways.

The sealant protects the top layer of asphalt from oxidation and wear, the county said.

Maui is the first county in Hawaii to use sealant as a pavement surface treatment.

Work will run from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. during those days, the county said in an email Monday. The project will begin on Hakui Loop and work through the subdivision.

Fliers have been distributed to the residents explaining the project.