Airline may be fined $548K
HONOLULU (AP) — The Federal Aviation Administration says Hawaiian Airlines went eight years without properly inspecting certain components of one of its planes used for commercial flights.
The FAA said Monday it is suggesting a fine of nearly $548,000 for the Honolulu-based airline. Airline and FAA officials say the company asked for an informal meeting to discuss the matter.
The agency says Hawaiian didn’t comply with a 2000 directive that established inspections of specific engine thrust reverser components. FAA officials say Hawaiian operated a Boeing 767-300 on more than 5,000 flights without complying with the directive.
The agency says a 2012 inspection found Hawaiian records wrongly said the directive didn’t apply to the aircraft.
An airline spokeswoman declined comment on the allegations but says Hawaiian’s first priority is safety.
Gambling units may be banned
HONOLULU (AP) — The Honolulu City Council is considering making it illegal to own a gambling machine, tightening rules that have led to arrests but no prosecutions.
Hawaii is one of two states in the country with no forms of legalized gambling, including casinos or lotteries. But recent raids of gambling parlors on Oahu have not resulted in any prosecutions.
Councilman Joey Manahan said he wants to give law enforcement more tools to crack down on gambling. More establishments with sweepstakes machines have been popping up and neighbors have complained, he said.
The bill would make it a misdemeanor to manage, maintain, produce, possess or use the machines. It would be punishable by up to 30 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. The council is expected to consider the measure this week.
Companies that own the machines say they’re not gambling devices because people can enter sweepstakes and win prizes without buying anything.
Some machines require payment, with winnings distributed as vouchers that can be cashed in at a service window.
Man accused of child porn
HONOLULU (AP) — FBI officials say a 53-year-old man was arrested at his home in Ewa Beach after being accused of producing child pornography.
Feliciano Lou Quimoyog was indicted on federal charges last week. An affidavit provided by the FBI on Monday says he is accused of coercing a girl to perform sex acts on video.
It’s not immediately clear whether Quimoyog has a lawyer. His case had not been entered into the court’s electronic filing system midday Monday.
