State tax collections rise 14.9 percent
State tax collections were up 14.9 percent for the 2011-12 fiscal year, according to the state Department of Taxation, but the revenue growth dropped to 10.2 percent when the delay in income tax refunds from 2010 was calculated.
The state Council on Revenues had projected 12 percent revenue growth for the fiscal year, which ended June 30. Gov. Neil Abercrombie and the state Legislature use the forecasts when drafting the state budget.
Revenue from the general excise and use taxes, the largest category, increased by 8.1 percent, the department said. Income tax collections were up 23.6 percent. Hotel room taxes were up 13.9 percent.
Child sex abuser is convicted
A Kealakekua man was convicted Friday of sexually assaulting two children.
Derek Cavillis faces up to 140 years in prison when he is sentenced Sept. 10 by Kona Circuit Judge Elizabeth Strance. He faces a possible 140 years if sentenced to consecutive terms for six counts of first-degree sex assault and four counts of third-degree sex assault.
The Hawaii Tribune-Herald reported Tuesday that the children testified that they were repeatedly sexually assaulted between the ages of 5 and 8. They testified they remained silent for several years because of threats from Cavillis, 39.
Cavillis claimed he was high on methamphetamine when he confessed to police, and had recanted his confession.
Fires prompt recycling tips
A recent chemical fire in a Kauai Recycles bin has prompted county officials to remind residents to empty containers of unused product and to rinse containers that contained hazardous substances such as bleach.
Food containers with thick residues should also be rinsed before they are placed in a Kauai Recycles bin, while beverage containers are acceptable without rinsing, the county said Tuesday in a news release.
Kauai Recycles has bins at these sites: Hanalei transfer station; at the end of Kahau Road; Lihue Kmart back parking lot; Brennecke’s Beach Broiler parking lot; Lawai Post Office; Eleele Shopping Center; Waimea Canyon Park; and Kekaha Landfill.
For information on proper recycling, go to www.kauai.gov/recycling or call the County Recycling Office at 241-4837.
