Kauai park reopens after hunt for suspect

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources reopened Na Pali Coast State Park on Kauai to the public Monday, ending a three-week closure while law enforcement searched for a suspect who allegedly threw a 31-year-old Japa­nese visitor off a cliff.

Justin Wynn Klein, 37, remained at large Monday. Police and Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement were searching for Klein, who allegedly threw the visitor from a cliff in Kala­lau Valley on Dec. 16. She sustained critical injuries and was treated at Wilcox Memorial Hospital before being released Dec. 27.

Those affected by the temporary closure of the park will be eligible for refunds or may reschedule their stay at the campgrounds. Call the Division of State Parks’ Kauai office at 274-3444.

Public comment sought on plan for Kulani prison

The state Department of Public Safety will hold public hearings this month on the proposal to reopen Kulani Correctional Facility near Hilo.

Hearings will be Jan. 22 at 4 p.m. at Aupuni Center in Hilo, and Jan. 31 at 5 p.m. at Keaau Community Center.

The state closed the minimum-security prison in 2009 and sent its 160 inmates to other prisons in Hawaii and on the mainland.

The department is proposing to reopen the prison by 2014, with 200 inmates and 69 employees. An environmental assessment on the plan was issued in November and will be the subject of this month’s hearings.

For more information, call Wendy Botelho-Cortez, Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s East Hawaii representative, at 974-6262.