Hawaii enacts law for undersea cable
HONOLULU - Hawaii's governor has signed a bill into law that paves the way for an undersea cable to connect Oahu and Neighbor Island power grids.
The bill signed by Gov. Neil Abercrombie establishes a regulatory structure for installing and implementing an interisland high-voltage electric transmission cable system.
He said at Wednesday's bill- signing ceremony that it doesn't mean a cable will be imminent but the foundation for one has been laid.
Neighbor Islands residents have been skeptical about an undersea cable proposal. But proponents say it would allow power sharing between islands, which could increase the reliability of electricity and lower power costs.
Hawaii households pay about $200 a month for electricity, three times the national average.
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10 years for school theft of $500,000
WAIPAHU, Oahu - Unable to pay back nearly $500,000 stolen from Waipahu High, the school's former business manager must serve a 10-year prison sentence.
Sixty-two-year-old Warren Harada pleaded guilty to theft and money laundering.
The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported that if Harada had paid back the money, he would have been sentenced Wednesday to five years' probation with 18 months of it behind bars.
Defense attorney Scott Collins said Harada's Manoa home is being sold so that he can pay back some of the money.
The thefts were discovered by Principal Keith Hayashi. He said Harada stole not only money but the reputation of the school and the trust of its students.
Prosecutors say the money was used for electronics and family vacations.
Harada declined to speak in court.
