Carbon monoxide gas poisoned soldier
The Medical Examiner’s office has said a 32-year-old Schofield Barracks soldier died of carbon monoxide poisoning in March after he and a female companion were found unconscious in a vehicle in a Kaena Point ditch.
The Medical Examiner’s Office said Christopher Holbrook’s death was accidental.
The 25th Infantry Division soldier and a 25-year-old woman were found March 8 unconscious in the vehicle, which was stuck in about three feet of water with the engine running. Holbrook was declared brain-dead March 13 and taken off life support systems three days later, according to police.
However, the medical examiner deferred a determination on what caused his death pending the outcome of further tests, which were completed this week.
A fisherman found the couple in a Jeep Wrangler on the Mokuleia side of Kaena State Park on a trail popular with off-road drivers. The vehicle was in a ditch with its engine running, windows rolled up and muffler submerged in water.
Tradewinds will take the weekend off
Tradewinds are leaving as a small south swell arrived in the islands Friday, bringing warmer weather and a greater chance of afternoon showers this weekend.
The National Weather Service expects tradewinds to diminish and shift to southeasterly winds in Honolulu in the afternoons on Saturday and Sunday.
Forecasters expect the morning windward and mauka showers over the islands to decrease and afternoon showers in mauka and leeward sections to increase as daytime heating and afternoon sea breezes cause clouds to form over mauka slopes.
Tradewinds should gradually start to build Monday and Tuesday with more moderate tradewind weather returning Wednesday.
Pharmacy dean to leave post
The founding dean of the University of Hawaii at Hilo’s College of Pharmacy will leave his post at the end of the year, the Hawaii Tribune-Herald reported Friday.
John Pezzuto sent an email this week to friends and colleagues saying he will leave the job he has held since 2006.
"It has been a privilege helping you build this college over the past several years," Pezzuto wrote. "I am proud of our progress, and I am confident the future is bright."
The Legislature this year appropriated $33 million to the college after cutting funding last year.
Mayor restricts communication
The mayor of Maui has ordered an end to direct communication between his staff and the Maui County Council.
Mayor Alan Arakawa last week directed county civil service employees, administration directors and staff to stop communicating verbally or in writing with Council members or staff. The employees were told to send communications through the offices of the mayor and the managing director.
Arakawa, in a letter to Council Chairwoman Gladys Baisa, said the steps "are intended to establish a more formal line of communication."
County Communications Director Rod Antone told the Maui News, "We want to avoid any future miscommunication."
Past county projects were agreed upon by the mayor and Council and then stalled during Council vetting, Antone said.
