Side job merits suspension, panel says

The Honolulu Ethics Commission is recommending that a city employee be suspended up to three days for running a side business expediting building permits.

The commission said Friday that the employee processed building permit applications despite a rule barring city employees from representing other private interests before any city agency.

Commission officials declined to identify the employee or give the department when asked by the Associated Press, citing state information laws.

Ethics officials say the recommendation came after three separate incidents from 2012 to 2014.

The commission says the employee didn’t dispute the findings or request a hearing to discuss the issue.

Visitation to correctional sites canceled

The Department of Public Safety canceled visitation to Hawaii Community Correctional Center and Oahu Community Correctional Facility on Saturday due to ongoing staffing shortages.

The department has canceled visitation to at least one correctional facility on 14 of the last 15 weekends. On June 1, visitation to Waiawa Correctional Facility was canceled due to a power outage.

Crews search for fisherman

The Coast Guard and the Hawaii County Fire Department searched Saturday for a missing fisherman off Hilo.

A 56-year-old man was fishing from a 10-foot cliff near Mackenzie State Recreation Area Friday evening when he either slipped or was washed off by a wave and was swept out to sea, according to the Coast Guard.

The Coast Guard Honolulu Command Center received notification from the fire department at 9:40 p.m. Friday and launched an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Barbers Point Air Station. The cutter Kiska was also diverted to the scene.

The fire department had a rescue boat and ground team assisting in the search.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Coast Guard at 535-3230.

Anti-GMO plan goes to Council

WAILUKU, Maui » A Maui group that wants to ban genetically modified crops has been given a green light by election officials to advance their proposal.

Maui’s County Clerk Danny Mateo said Friday that the group collected enough valid signatures to send its petition to the County Council.

According to the Maui County Charter, the Council will now have 60 days to act on the proposal.

The proposed moratorium would make it illegal to cultivate, grow or test genetically modified crops in Maui County until companies complete environmental and public health studies to show their practices are safe.

If the Council does not adopt the ordinance within 60 days, it will be placed on the 2014 general election ballot to be decided by voters.