Bill sets limits on physical discipline of minors HONOLULU — State lawmakers may establish new limitations on the kinds of physical force that can be used when disciplining minors. ADVERTISING Current Hawaii law calls for parents and guardians to use
Bill sets limits on physical discipline of minors
HONOLULU — State lawmakers may establish new limitations on the kinds of physical force that can be used when disciplining minors.
Current Hawaii law calls for parents and guardians to use reason when punishing their children. That means taking into account the child’s age and size, as well as taking care not to cause substantial injury.
The Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday advanced a bill that would establish stricter regulations on what types of physical force aren’t justified.
The list includes throwing, kicking, burning, biting, punching, interfering with breathing and striking children in the face.
It also prohibits shaking children under age three, and injuring children less than 18 months old.
The measure is part of the Prosecuting Attorney’s bill package.
Conviction upheld for Hawaii man who tossed child
HONOLULU — An appeals court has affirmed the murder conviction of a Honolulu man for tossing a 23-month of child to his death from a freeway overpass.
The state’s appeals court unanimously rejected Matthew Higa’s appeal, including his argument that the prosecution failed to prove the child was alive when he was thrown onto the freeway.
The appeals panel, in a 32-page ruling, also said it’s undisputed that Higa was on drugs at the time.
Circuit Judge Dexter Del Rosario found Higa guilty of second-degree murder for causing Cyrus Belt’s 2008 death.
The judge sentenced him to 15 years to life in prison. In 2010, the Hawaii Paroling Authority ruled that Higa must serve at least 200 years in prison before he can be released on parole.
Incumbent leads fundraising in Honolulu mayor race
HONOLULU — Honolulu’s incumbent mayor is in the fundraising lead over the two opponents vying for his job.
State campaign spending reports show Mayor Peter Carlisle has raised $340,000 in the last half of 2011. The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reports (https://bit.ly/whD49g ) former city Managing Director Kirk Caldwell’s full report was not available online before Tuesday’s reporting deadline. But Caldwell reported raising $72,000 in the last six weeks of the reporting period.
Last month, former Gov. Ben Cayetano announced he’ll run as a candidate opposed to Honolulu’s planned rail transit project. He didn’t have any donations reported in the current filing period. He said he expects he’ll need about $500,000 to unseat Carlisle.
Caldwell said it’ll take about $800,000 to $1 million.
By wire sources
