Relatives sue state over Maui boy’s death
WAILUKU » The grandmother and sister of a dead 4-year-old Maui boy have filed a negligence lawsuit against the state.
The Maui News reports the lawsuit filed Friday claims the Department of Human Services failed to protect Zion McKeown from abuse and neglect.
Zion died in 2012 after his father and his father’s girlfriend took him to the emergency room at Maui Memorial Medical Center. Autopsy results showed injuries to his abdomen consistent with someone stomping on him.
His father, Kyle McKeown, and his father’s girlfriend, Grace Lee-Nakamoto, are awaiting trial for second-degree murder.
DHS spokeswoman Kayla Rosenfeld declined to comment on the lawsuit, citing confidentiality.
Annual Click It or Ticket campaign begins
Police officers around the state are beginning the annual Click It or Ticket campaign, stepping up enforcement of drivers and passengers who do not buckle up.
During last year’s campaign, police issued 1,905 citations for seat belt violations and 105 citations for child safety seat restraint infractions. Under a law that went into effect in 2013, the driver will be cited if any passenger is not using a seat belt, car seat or booster seat as required.
New corporation counsel tapped for the Big Isle
Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi on Monday appointed Molly Amai Stebbins as the new corporation counsel.
Stebbins, deputy corporation counsel since 2007, was assigned to represent the county Police and Fire departments. She is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and the University of Hawaii’s William S. Richardson School of Law.
The appointment is effectiveTuesday and is subject to confirmation by the County Council.
Stebbins replaces Lincoln Ashida, who resigned as corporation counsel April 30 to take a position as senior counsel for Torkildson Katz Moore Hetherington & Harris.
Kenoi also appointed Laureen Martin as assistant corporation counsel. Martin has served as deputy corporation counsel since 2009 and is currently litigation section supervisor.
Martin replaces Katherine Garson, who will remain with the county as a deputy corporation counsel.
Drug discounts open to those of Valley Island
County Councilman Michael P. Victorino says a free discount card for prescription drugs is available for Maui County residents.
Through a partnership with the National Association of Counties, Maui County is a participating member in the NACo Prescription Discount Card Program.
Consumers across the country save an average of 24 percent off the retail price of prescribed medications when using the discount card, Victorino said.
Residents can call toll-free 877-321-2652 for assistance with the program.
