Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker will serve as keynote speaker for the Hawaii Republican Party’s 2016 Lincoln Day Dinner, which is slated for Feb. 16.
Hawaii GOP Chairman Fritz Rohlfing said in a news release: “Gov. Walker transformed Wisconsin’s economy, dug its state government out from under a tremendous budget deficit, and has bravely reformed his state’s civil service system.”
Scott Walker is the 45th governor of Wisconsin. First elected governor in the state’s 2010 general election, he survived a 2012 recall election and was re-elected governor in 2014. Previously, he served as the Milwaukee County Executive and in the Wisconsin State Assembly.
On July 13, Walker announced his candidacy in the 2016 presidential race in a Facebook post before a formal announcement event in Wisconsin. The Republican ended the campaign on Sept. 21.
More information about the Lincoln Day Dinner is available online at gophawaii.com.
3 Big Isle parks will close early
KAILUA-KONA >> Three Hawaii island state parks — Hapuna, Kiholo and Kekaha Kai (Mahaiula and Kua Bay sections) — will close early at 5 p.m. Thursday.
“We are closing the parks early to discourage use of fireworks, which are prohibited in state parks, and to protect the public and natural resources of the area,” said state Department of Land and Natural Resources Chairwoman Suzanne Case in a news release.
The parks will resume normal hours on Friday.
Bail at $891K in assault case
HILO >> Bail has been kept at $891,000 for a man accused of sexually assaulting two teens who had been hiking in Hilo.
The Hawaii Tribune-Herald reports Oran Charles Kita, 36, made his initial appearance in Hilo District Court on Monday. He faces several charges, including sexual assault, terroristic threatening and kidnapping.
Court documents say the alleged victims, ages 17 and 19, told police they had been hiking near Piihonua Bridge on Dec. 22 when they were approached by a man who told them there was a waterfall in the area. They said they were led to a remote area, where the suspect brandished a knife, tied them up and sexually assaulted them.
2 people killed in 3-car crash
KEAAU-PAHOA >> Two people were killed in a three-car accident Tuesday on Highway 130 on Hawaii island, police said. Hawaii County police shut down Highway 130 in both directions at the Keaau transfer station shortly after 2 p.m. and reopened it at about 7 p.m.
No additional information about the accident was available.
