Names of House finalists disclosed
Hawaii County Democrats on Monday released the names of the candidates they forwarded to Gov. Neil Abercrombie to fill a state House vacancy.
Abercrombie chose Richard Creagan, a doctor, to replace former Rep. Denny Coffman, who resigned for family reasons.
Michael Matsukawa, an attorney, and Steve Sakala, a farmer, were the other candidates recommended by the party. Nine candidates had applied.
The Honolulu Star-Advertiser asked the Governor’s Office last week for the three finalists before the governor appointed Creagan. The Governor’s Office declined to release the names and referred questions to Hawaii County Democrats.
Pair injured as blaze in Hilo destroys home
Two people were injured in an early morning fire Monday that destroyed a Hilo home.
Hawaii County firefighters, responding to the 4:14 a.m. alarm at 2073 Uhaloa Road, found a front bedroom engulfed in flames.
The fire was brought under control at 4:35 a.m.
Two people were taken to Hilo Medical Center with injuries. Their conditions weren’t available.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Jury convicts Kauai man, 29, of meth crimes
A 29-year-old Kauai man could spent 20 years to life in prison after his conviction on methamphetamine smuggling and distribution charges.
A U.S. District Court jury convicted Matthew Zmuda, 29, of conspiring to distribute and possess methamphetamine and heroin on Friday after a five-day trial.
Prosecutors said Zmuda had conspired to have methamphetamine and heroin sent from California to Kauai in February, March and April 2012.
A shipment of 447 grams of methamphetamine, addressed to a hotel on Kauai, was seized at Honolulu Airport on April 3, 2012. Zmuda had arranged to receive the shipment, prosecutors said.
Zmuda faces up to life in prison with a mandatory minimum 20-year term of imprisonment when he is sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge Helen Gillmor on May 12.
