Court to get police chief case
LIHUE » The Kauai Police Commission plans to file a complaint in court to ask for judgment on who has the authority to supervise and discipline the police chief.
The question stems from Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. placing Chief Darryl Perry on leave in February while the county investigated an employee complaint. Perry claimed only the police commission had the authority to do so, while the mayor insisted that the authority belongs to him.
Carvalho placed Perry on leave Feb. 8 after an employee complaint of an alleged hostile work environment. Perry returned to work Feb. 22 under the authority of the Police Commission. But he was denied his badge, equipment and access to his office under the direction of the Mayor’s Office.
After discussions with lawyers and the police commission, the mayor allowed Perry to return to the job March 12.
Kauai County Council Chairman Jay Furfaro said Friday the Council approved a request from the police commission seeking up to $10,000 to retain special counsel to represent the commission in its complaint.
He says a court judgment will provide clarity on the issue.
Fire burns near Kahului Airport
A brush fire near Kahului Airport prompted the evacuation Saturday of a nearby resident.
The fire started about 10:20 a.m. on the airport side of Stable Road. Firefighters contained about 40 percent of it by evening, a Maui Fire Department spokesman said.
Flying embers caused some roof damage, but no structures were lost.
Dan Meisenzahl of the state Department of Transportation said the fire did not affect airport operations.
Firefighters estimated the fire at 15 to 20 acres, but smoke made it difficult to confirm the size.
Website hails Kauai as star
Kauai ranks among the top film locations worldwide, according to Cheapflights.com.
The website released the list with the box office success of "The Hunger Games," filmed in North Carolina.
Cheapflights described the Garden Island as "Hollywood’s tropical backlot of choice for eight decades now." Scenes from "Jurassic Park," "Avatar," "The Descendants" and "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" were filmed there.
Maui to reuse Honolulu buses
Honolulu is shipping three retired public buses to Maui.
The 18-year-old Gillig buses will augment Maui’s existing fleet. Each of the buses can carry up to 45 seated passengers and another 20 standing. Honolulu is replacing them with new buses as part of its fleet management plan.