A man in his 40s died Wednesday on a United Airlines flight headed to Hilo, the state Department of Transportation said.
The man was on UAL 1004, which took off from Los Angeles and landed on the Big Island at about 7:40 p.m.
The body was taken to Hilo Medical Center, where an autopsy will be done to determine the cause of death.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Bills may adjust credit card use
HILO » The Hawaii County Council is considering strengthening laws after an audit of the county’s government credit card program found evidence of misuse.
Puna Councilman Greggor Ilagan plans to bring a bill before the Council this month, West Hawaii Today reported Wednesday. Council Chairman Dru Kanuha says he’s also considering a bill.
The audit found that Mayor Billy Kenoi’s record keeping was inconsistent, with many purchases going without receipts or explanations, but that most pCard use does not have problems.
Kenoi has admitted using the card to pay bar tabs and buy surfboards. He has paid back more than $31,000 of the almost $130,000 he charged.
Lawsuit costing county $47,000
KAILUA-KONA » A lawsuit saying a director isn’t qualified for her job is being appealed, and taxpayers will pay the legal bill.
West Hawaii Today reported Thursday that County Council members approved spending $47,231 to defend Environmental Management Director Bobby Jean Leithead Todd against the suit.
Almost $14,000 has already been paid since the lawsuit was filed in 2013.
A judge ruled in late May that requiring environmental managers to have degrees in engineering or a related field is a standard too vague to enforce.
Councilwoman Brenda Ford and attorney Michael Matsukawa filed the appeal Tuesday in the Intermediate Court of Appeals.
