California to extradite Hawaii psych patient
HONOLULU (AP) — A man who escaped from a Hawaii psychiatric hospital and flew to California will be sent back to the islands.
The Hawaii attorney general’s office said Friday the state of California issued a warrant authorizing Randall Saito’s extradition. The attorney general’s office says it’s arranged with the U.S. Marshal’s Service to have Saito return on a noncommercial flight.
San Joaquin County Judge Michael Mulvihill scheduled a Jan. 5 hearing to discuss the extradition.
Saito has been a Hawaii State Hospital patient for nearly four decades since being found not guilty by reason of insanity of a woman’s murder.
He walked out of the hospital on Nov. 12 and took a taxi to the airport. Police arrested him in the California city of Stockton three days later.
Banks to give bonuses, raise minimum wage
HONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii’s two largest banks say they’re going to give cash bonuses to most of their employees and raise the minimum wage.
Bank of Hawaii and First Hawaiian Bank on Friday announced their plans to give bonuses to nearly all of their employees except the upper management.
Bank of Hawaii officials say 95 percent of their workforce will get a $1,000 bonus next week, and the bank will increase its minimum wage to $15 per hour.
First Hawaiian Bank officials say they will pay out $1,500 bonuses in early January to 2,264 employees. The bank will also increase its minimum wage to $15 an hour.
Report: Hotel revenues up
HONOLULU (AP) — A report by the state tourism agency shows hotel revenue climbed across Hawaii last month with the Big Island and Kauai experiencing the strongest bumps.
The Hawaii hotel performance report shows that the revenue per available room increased by 5.5 percent statewide from last year, landing at about $190.
The Hawaii Tourism Authority report shows the revenue per available room on the Big Island soared by nearly 13 percent to $167. Kauai’s increased by 13 percent to $168.
Hundreds left without water
HONOLULU (AP) — Hundreds of residents are without water due to a water main break in the Ala Moana area.
The break happened Saturday around 6:30 a.m. beneath Makaloa Street between Kaheka and Poni streets.
The Board of Water Supply says the road in that area has been closed while crews continue repairs on the 8-inch main.
Three properties, including the Kapiolani Manor high-rise with more than 500 units and the Pawaa fire station, have lost water access.
A water wagon has been brought to the parking lot next to Kapiolani Manor.
