Ige names deputy directors for tax, health

Deputy directors for the state taxation and health departments were named by Gov. David Ige on Friday.

Brig. Gen. Joseph Kim, the deputy adjutant general and deputy commander for the Hawaii National Guard since 2011, is being nominated as deputy director for the Department of Taxation. While deputy adjutant general, he ran day-to-day operations for the state Department of Defense.

Keith Yamamoto, first deputy director for the Department of Health since 2011, will retain that title. In that job, Yamamoto oversees general administration of the department including budget, fiscal, facilities management, human resources, information technology, planning, vital records and the neighbor island district health offices.

Both require confirmation by the state Senate.

Maui County trims list to replace Carroll

The Maui County Democratic Party sent to Gov. David Ige on Saturday the names of three people as potential replacements for former state Rep. Mele Carroll, who resigned effective Feb. 1 due to an illness.

The three are: Molokai resident Lori Buchanan, a field outreach coordinator for the Molokai/Maui Invasive Species Committee, co-owner of Molokai Security Service and a member of the Molokai Planning Commission; Molokai resident Lynn DeCoite, owner of L&R Farm Enterprises and R.J. Snacks and a member of the state Board of Agriculture; and Huelo resident Lucienne De Naie, a self-employed consultant and a member of the Maui Cultural Lands Advisory Board. Ige has until April 1 to choose someone to fill the remaining term for the House district representing Lanai, Molokai, Paia and Hana.

Early morning crash kills 3 and injures 2 in Kailua-Kona

Three people died early Saturday in Kailua-Kona after a head-on collision on Queen Kaahumanu Highway.

The crash happened around 5 a.m., about 0.3 miles north of the Hina Lani Street intersection.

A Nissan pickup was traveling north when it was hit by a Kia sedan traveling south, causing the sedan to catch on fire, police said.

The driver of the Nissan, a 39-year-old Kailua-Kona man, had to be extricated from the truck. He was taken to Kona Community Hospital for his injuries.

Upon extinguishing the fire, firefighters discovered three bodies in the sedan: the male driver and two of his passengers.

A third passenger, a 17-year-old Kailua-Kona girl, was able to get out of the car and was taken to Kona Community Hospital for treatment.

It is unknown if excessive speed or alcohol were factors in this crash, police said. Police have opened a negligent homicide case.

The highway was closed until about 10:30 a.m.

These are the second, third and fourth fatalities this year, compared with three at this time last year, police said.