Swimmer dies after rescue at Napili, Maui

A Maryland man has died after he was pulled unconscious from the water off West Maui.

Maui police report 72-year-old Montford L. Carpenter of Baldwin was found unresponsive 20 feet from shore at Hono­ke­ana Cove in Na­pili at about noon Saturday. Bystanders pulled him to shore and attempted cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Police say emergency responders took over and that he was transported to Maui Memorial Medical Center in critical condition.

Carpenter died at the hospital. An autopsy will be conducted.

Pay raises, mandates cause budget to rise

The Hawaii County budget is expected to rise 4.3 percent to $434.7 million next year.

The new money is necessary due to union-negotiated pay hikes and federal and state mandates, West Hawaii Today reported.

The 2015-16 spending plan released Friday by Mayor Billy Kenoi has few new frills, projects or services.

"This proposed budget represents our departments’ best efforts to meet the needs of our growing community in a timely and fiscally responsible fashion," Kenoi said in his budget message. "Our economy is in a state of gradual recovery. We believe our investments in infra­structure, renewable energy and parks and recreation are critical to the future of Hawaii Island."

Kenoi said Puna’s lava emergency shouldn’t significantly affect the budget because those extra expenses should be covered by federal funds.

The county had spent $711,311 on lava-related overtime as of Dec. 31. Capital expenses will be handled by a $20 million bond.