Navy squadron officer probed
HONOLULU (AP) — The Navy has reassigned the executive officer of a Hawaii-based patrol squadron while it investigates allegations of misconduct.
Naval Air Forces said in a statement Tuesday Cmdr. Jason Stapleton will return to Kaneohe Bay from Sigonella, Italy, where the squadron is currently deployed.
Spokesman Cmdr. Kevin Stephens says Stapleton has been the executive officer of Patrol Squadron Four since last May.
Stephens says the alleged incident occurred during the deployment. He says the Navy isn’t currently releasing details of the allegations.
Cmdr. Michael Brett Thompson will take over as executive officer.
The Navy says the allegations are being thoroughly investigated and appropriate action will be taken.
Executive officers serve as second in command in Navy aircraft squadrons.
Naval Air Forces is headquartered in San Diego.
Ex-parks official is fined $2,000
HONOLULU (AP) — The Honolulu Ethics Commission has imposed a $2,000 fine against former city Deputy Parks Director Albert Tufono after an investigation found he used his position to obtain preferential treatment from parks employees, even after he was warned to stop doing so.
According to a commission advisory opinion, Tufono sent emails to parks recreation directors seeking permits that assigned and scheduled gym and ball field reservations at city parks for teams and leagues that he coached, teams his sons played on and a hula halau in which his daughter was a student.
Emails were sent on at least 10 occasions over a one-year period in 2011-2012. According to the commission, Tufono successfully obtained reservations “in most cases.”
Tufono could not immediately be reached for comment Tuesday.
Woman killed by garbage truck
HONOLULU (AP) — An 88-year-old woman has died after she was struck by a private garbage truck in downtown Honolulu.
The woman was walking to her apartment at the Queen Emma Gardens condominium complex in Nuuanu when she was hit Monday morning.
Police say the woman apparently walked behind the garbage truck while it was backing up in a loading zone.
She was taken to The Queen’s Medical Center, where she died.
The woman’s name was not immediately released.
The truck is operated by Rolloffs Hawaii. Company representatives say the driver — a man in his 30s — was placed on administrative leave.
Police are investigating the incident and no one has been arrested.
Motorcyclist dies in crash on Likelike Highway
HONOLULU (AP) — Police say a Kaneohe man died after his motorcycle on the Likelike Highway.
The Honolulu Star-Advertiser says the roadway was slick from recent rains and speed may have been a factor in the crash late Monday night.
According to police, the man was Kaneohe-bound when his motorcycle hit a guard rail just before the Wilson tunnel. He was ejected onto the road.
The man, who was wearing a helmet, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The death is the 18th traffic fatality this year on Oahu roads.
