Workers groups endorse incumbents

The Hawaii Laborers Union, Local 368, endorsed Gov. Neil Abercrombie in his 2014 re-election bid Sunday during a picnic attended by some 4,000 union members and their families at the Wet’n Wild Hawaii water park in Kapolei.

Abercrombie accepted the endorsement, and he vowed to continue pushing for projects that address state infrastructure needs.

Meanwhile, the National Association of Letter Carriers announced its support of Brian Schatz in his U.S. senatorial campaign. The endorsement came during the group’s Hawaii State Convention. It is the 22nd formal endorsement Schatz has so far received.

Marine is honored for service in Korea

A Korean War hero was honored in Hawaii more than 60 years after he was killed in action.

Marine Corps Cpl. Frank Capra Rocha was honored at a ceremony Friday on the grounds of the state Capitol.

He was killed in action Aug. 10, 1951. He was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and Purple Heart.

His name was engraved on the Hawaii Korean War Memorial on the Capitol grounds in March.

Boater owes swimmer $50K

The operator of a boat that struck a swimmer during the Maui Channel Swim two years ago, severing the swimmer’s right arm, has been ordered to pay $50,000 in restitution.

Maui District Judge Eric Romanchak on Thursday also ordered Gary Vinge, 62, of Wailuku not to operate a boat or other watercraft during his one-year probation, the Maui News reported. Under a plea deal, Vinge pleaded no contest to the misdemeanor charge of second-degree negligent injury.

On Sept. 3, 2011, Vinge’s 28-foot escort boat hit California visitor John Caughlin near the finish line of the nearly 10-mile course from Lanai to Kaanapali Beach. The swimmer, now 43, was in a designated safe zone.

Mayor urges 10% tax rise

Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi has proposed a 10 percent increase in property tax rates.

Under the proposal, West Hawaii’s three County Council districts, which comprise about a third of the county’s population, will continue shouldering 70 percent of the property tax burden, West Hawaii Today reports.

An analysis by the newspaper using county Finance Department data found that North Kona’s District 8 will pay about $65.9 million, Kohala’s District 9 will pay $59.3 million and Kona’s District 7 will pay $26.1 million of the approximately $216.5 million tax base under the proposed rates. By contrast, Hilo’s District 3 will pay the lowest, $7.3 million, Hilo’s District 2 will pay $7.5 million and Hamakua’s District 1 will pay $9.2 million.