21-and-older tobacco law to take effect

A Hawaii County ordinance prohibiting the sale of cigarettes, other tobacco products and electronic cigarettes to those under 21 goes into effect Tuesday.

The law exempts individuals who turn 18 before July 1 to continue to purchase cigarettes. The exemption eases the transition for those who are already tobacco users and for retailers.

The Hawaii County Council unanimously passed Bill 135 on Nov. 20. Mayor Billy Kenoi signed the bill in December.

Anyone who sells or distributes tobacco products or electronic smoking devices to an underage customer is subject to a maximum $2,000 fine.

Retailers must verify proof of age of the purchaser or recipient. Signs must be posted through July 30, 2017, at each point of sale. Failure to post the signs will be subject to a maximum $500 fine.

Church leaders detail plans for repair work

Leaders of the state’s oldest church are outlining plans for $3 million in repairs to ensure the church endures as a landmark.

Mokuaikaua Church in Kailua-Kona was founded by the Pioneer Company of American Missionaries in 1820.

West Hawaii Today reported the building’s roof must be raised and its walls reinforced with steel. Crossbeams must be replaced. The 2006 earthquake caused some of the problems.

The church announced a fundraising campaign Tuesday, soon after the National Trust for Historic Preservation declared it one of the most 11 most endangered sites in the country.

Pair charged with theft at Kona resort

Two Hawaii island homeless men appeared in court Tuesday on charges of breaking into a Kailua-Kona resort, theft and other offenses.

Sloan Deleon was charged with contempt of court, burglary, second-degree theft, promoting a dangerous drug and possessing drug paraphernalia. Bail was set at $11,000.

Leo Corpuz was charged with burglary, unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle, six counts of theft, two counts of theft/forgery of a credit card, eight counts of unauthorized possession of personal information, fraudulent use of a motor vehicle license plate and driving without a license. Bail was set at $143,000.

Police said a California visitor reported that his room at a resort off Alii Drive near Wailua Road had been broken into Saturday and that items, including his rental car key, had been taken. The rental car was gone from the parking lot.