Not calling 911 after finding boy leads to case

Hawaii County police have initiated a custodial interference case in connection with a 9-year-old boy who was taken in by a Puna family overnight after the child ran away from home Wednesday afternoon.

"We want to public to understand that it is not OK to keep a lost child overnight before calling police," said Assistant Chief Henry Tavares. "The proper response is to call 911 as soon as possible after you find a child who is lost or wandering alone without adult supervision."

Police said Disen Heu-Aragaki left his Kurtistown home after an argument with his mother. A family found him Wednesday wandering alone on 40th Avenue in Orchidland about two miles from his home, fed him and let him spend the night. They called police the next day when they saw a police bulletin that the boy had been reported missing.

Opinions sought on candidates for Maui bench

Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald is seeking written comments on six candidates sent to him by the Judicial Selection Commission to fill a vacancy for a Family Court district judgeship on Maui.

The six candidates are Michelle Drewyer, Kirstin Hamman, Adrianne Heely, Adriel Menor, Lloyd Poelman and Douglas Sameshima.

The vacancy was created when District Judge Geronimo Valdriz retired Dec. 31.

The state Judiciary said comments, which will be confidential, on the qualifications and character of the candidates should be sent to Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald, Supreme Court of Hawaii, 417 S. King St., Honolulu HI 96813; by fax, 539-4703; or email to chiefjustice@ courts.hawaii.gov.

Comments must be postmarked emailed, faxed or hand delivered no later than March 28.