Aiona rules out a 2012 run for Hirono’s congressional seat

Former Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona said Tuesday he will not run for Congress next year.

Aiona had said previously that he had not ruled out any options for 2012. State Republican officials declined as recently as last week to discourage talk of a potential Aiona campaign for the 2nd Congressional District seat, which Democratic Rep. Mazie Hirono is vacating to run for Senate. But other sources said privately that Aiona was not interested.

In a post on his website, Aiona, executive vice president of development and recruitment at Saint Louis School, said he might consider another run for governor in 2014 but was not looking at Congress.

Honolulu lawyer suspended because of improper actions

The Hawaii Supreme Court suspended Honolulu lawyer Richard Hacker on Tuesday from practicing law in Hawaii for five years.

The court said it appears that Hacker "falsified" two letters pertaining to a lawsuit against him, "fraudulently misrepresented" his financial assets to a bankruptcy court, violated his duty of diligence and competence to a client in a divorce matter and demonstrated "a pattern of misconduct" in violation of Hawaii Rules of Professional Conduct.

The suspension takes effect 30 days from the court’s order, filed Tuesday, the court said.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Full service resumes at refuse facility

The Hanalei refuse transfer station has resumed normal operations, Kauai County announced.

The facility is open daily from 7:15 a.m. to 5:15 p.m., except on holidays such as Admission Day, which will be observed Friday.

Last week the scrap metal and appliance recycling services at the facility had been suspended due to permit capacity issues.

For more information about solid waste disposal and recycling on Kauai, call 241-4837.