U.S. Senate panel approves ‘Iolani grad as HUD deputy
A U.S. Senate committee Tuesday approved the nomination of Nani Coloretti, a 1987 ‘Iolani School graduate, to be deputy secretary at the Department of Housing and Urban Development, sending it to the Senate floor for a final vote, according to U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono’s office.
Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Johnson, D-S.D., said in a written statement following the committee’s voice vote, “Ms. Coloretti has the understanding and experience necessary to serve as the deputy secretary of U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. This post oversees the budget for HUD’s programs that provide affordable rental housing and community development opportunities, and her extensive public service experience will help her as she seeks to better the lives of folks across the country.”
Originally, Coloretti, 44, had been picked by President Barack Obama in November to be chief financial officer in the Department of the Treasury. That nomination was withdrawn in March when Obama nominated Coloretti to the HUD executive post.
She has been the Treasury Department’s assistant secretary for management for the past year.
Copter takes visitor to safety
Emergency officials used a helicopter to rescue a Maui visitor who fell about 30 feet from a cliff off Hana Highway on Tuesday.
Maui fire, police and medical personnel said the 52-year-old woman from Ohio was found in a shallow pool about 300 yards off the highway, where trail conditions were extremely muddy. A family member said the woman had slipped and fallen backward onto rocks.
Steep and dangerous terrain prompted rescue personnel to use a rescue helicopter to airlift the victim to a nearby landing zone set up on the highway.
The fall was reported at about 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, and the woman was taken to Maui Memorial Medical Center in Wailuku. Information on her condition was not available.
Body identified as Hilo woman
A body found by a fisherman on Hawaii island last weekend has been identified as 48-year-old Jodi L. Masutomi of Hilo.
She was identified through fingerprints during an autopsy conducted Tuesday.
The autopsy revealed that her injuries were consistent with a fall from a height. The cause of death is being deferred, however, pending a toxicology report.
A fisherman discovered the body on the shoreline off Hawaii Belt Road in the Wainaku area shortly before midnight Saturday.
Police have not found Masutomi’s car, a tan 1997 Toyota Camry four-door sedan, license plate HXP 413.
Police ask anyone with information about the car or about this case to contact Detective Norbert Serrao at 961-2383 or nserrao@co.hawaii.hi.us. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call CrimeStoppers at 961-8300.
