A Honolulu firefighter was in stable condition Friday after sustaining injuries in a 30-foot fall from a rescue basket at Diamond Head State Monument.

The incident occurred at about 9:50 a.m.

Honolulu Fire Department personnel treated the injured firefighter while awaiting HFD’s helicopter. The firefighter was transported to a hospital, where he is reported to be alert and in stable condition, HFD said in a news release.

The accident occurred while firefighters were assisting a hiker who was experiencing a medical emergency at the top of the Diamond Head Crater trail. HFD personnel had hiked to the patient’s location and loaded him into a helicopter rescue basket for extrication.

While the basket was being lifted by the helicopter, it “contacted a utility pole, causing the firefighter to become dislodged from the basket and fall approximately 30 feet to the ground,” according to the release. The patient remained in the basket and was transported to a landing zone.

Fire Chief Manuel P. Neves said in the release that HFD will conduct an investigation of the accident and provide more information when it becomes available.

Woman pleads guilty to fraud

A woman who allegedly billed Medicaid for services for a client who was no longer living in her care facility pleaded guilty to felony theft and medical assistance fraud charges Thursday.

Under terms of a plea agreement, Donnabeth Taasin will pay $3,859.64 restitution, $1,500 to the state crime victims compensation fund and $1,000 in investigative costs and other fees.

The attorney general’s office said Taasin has no prior record and cooperated with the investigation, and under the plea agreement, she may seek a deferral of her sentencing. Sentencing is set for Nov. 9.

Kauai attorney named judge

Former Kauai Prosecuting Attorney Michael Soong has been appointed to replace retiring Kauai island District Judge Trudy Senda.

Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald announced the appointment Friday. Senda is scheduled to retire in December.

Soong served as Kauai County prosecutor from 1996 to 2004 and has been in private practice since then.

He was a deputy corporation counsel for Hawaii County from 1986 to 1987, a deputy public defender from 1987 to 1989, a deputy prosecuting attorney for Kauai County from 1991 to 1996 and an associate attorney with the Law Office of Walton D.Y. Hong, specializing in real estate transactions and land use. He also has practiced criminal law and personal injury litigation as a partner in the law firm of Soong & Feldhacker since 2004 and as a solo practitioner since 2009.

Soong is a graduate of the Southwestern University School of Law. If confirmed by the state Senate, he will serve a term of six years.

Pahoa man held in burglary case

Police arrested and charged a 42-year-old Pahoa man Thursday in connection with a burglary at a 65-year-old man’s Hawaiian Acres subdivision house.

Police conducted an investigation after the house on Road 9 was broken into June 9 and some household items were taken. That investigation led to identifying Billymack Moore as the suspect, police said.

Officers arrested Moore on Thursday while he was in custody for unrelated offenses. He was charged with first-degree burglary and fourth-degree theft. His bail was set at $10,250.