Work closes Makapuu trail and parking lot through Friday

The popular Makapuu Lighthouse trail and parking lot are closed through Friday for pavement-sealing work.

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources said in a news release that vehicles must stay off the pavement so that the weather-resistant seal coat can cure.

“We apologize to hikers for this inconvenience, and have tried to schedule the work to minimize disruption to park use,” said state parks Administrator Curt Cottrell. “However, this work will ensure that the pavement in the park remains in good condition for many more years.”

Striping for the parking lots is also scheduled for one day sometime next week. Makapuu Lookout is not affected. Visit dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp for updates.

HAWAII ISLAND

$850,000 settlement reached in girl’s death after infection

HILO >> The family of a Hawaii island girl who died in 2012 is receiving $850,000 to settle a medical malpractice lawsuit.

Rienda Supu, 8, died after her parents sought treatment multiple times for a cut on her leg, which eventually became infected with staph and strep bacteria, Hawaii News Now reported.

An autopsy showed that she had developed acute rheumatic carditis, which can come from a strep infection.

Richard Turbin, the attorney for Supu’s family, argued Bay Clinic failed to prescribe Rienda with an appropriate medicine after finding out the cut was infected.

“The Pacific Islanders are very susceptible for extremely serious ramifications if a strep infection is unattended,” Turbin said. “The sad fact is there was a very unnecessary death and she was not properly cared for on many occasions.”

In court documents, Dr. William Sears, an expert hired by Hilo Medical Center, concluded that the treatment and follow-­­up by Bay Clinic were below the standard of care due to the facility’s failure to contact the family and change the antibiotic once the lab results revealed a strep infection.

Bay Clinic’s medical director offered condolences to the family, but declined to comment on the settlement.

Neither party admitted fault in the settlement.

Bay Clinic is federally qualified, so the federal government will pay the family on behalf of the clinic.