No decision yet on parole for ex-cop convicted in slaying, kidnapping of wife
The Hawaii Paroling Authority has yet to render a final decision on a change to the minimum sentence for Kenneth Mathison, a former Big Island police sergeant serving a life sentence for the 1992 kidnapping and slaying of his wife, Yvonne.
Department of Public Safety Spokeswoman Toni Schwartz provided the update, adding that the parole is expected to make a ruling “soon.”
The parole board took testimony during a Sept. 25 hearing in its reconsideration of the mandatory minimum terms on both convictions. Mathison testified via video conference from an Arizona prison. The family of Yvonne also testified.
Mathison remains incarcerated at the Saguaro Correctional Center in Eloy, Ariz. He was sentenced in 1996 to life in prison with the possibility of parole for the murder of his wife with a concurrent 20-year prison term for her kidnapping.
At the 2009 hearing, the parole board set Mathison’s minimum prison terms at 90 years for the murder conviction and the full 20 years for the kidnapping conviction.
Fatal crash victim yet to be ID’d
Police on Saturday had yet to release the identity and age of a man killed Friday afternoon when he apparently lost control of his fuel tanker and went off Kawaihae Road.
The Hawaii County Fire Department also revised Saturday its estimate of the number of gallons of diesel that leaked from the fuel tanker, which the department listed as being owned by C&F Trucking.
According to fire officials, some 1,900 gallons of diesel fuel was leaked while another tanker was able to recover approximately 6,500 gallons. Initial statements said about half the 8,400 gallons of fuel being carried by the truck had leaked.
Police and fire rescue personnel responded shortly after 2 p.m. Friday to a report of an overturned semitrailer that had been carrying diesel fuel when it ran off the roadway between mile markers 63 and 64, west of Waiemi Place in South Kohala. The truck’s cab was dislodged from the from the vehicle as was the tank holding the fuel.
No other vehicles were involved and no other injuries were reported.
Kawaihae Road was closed in both directions shortly after the crash. It reopened about 8:45 p.m. Friday.
Road work planned for Hawaii Island
Alternating single lane closures will be in effect on Mamalahoa Highway, between Uluoa Street and Old Kona Village Road, in North Kona for sign installation, according to the state Department of Transportation.
Alternating single lane closures will also be in effect on Volcano Road, between mile markers 8.6 and 13.4, in the vicinity of Keaau to Mountain View for pavement reconstruction, according to the department.
Alternating single lane closures will also be in effect on Hawaii Belt Road, also known as Route 19, between mile markers 26 and 27, in the vicinity of Laupahoehoe Gulch, in North Hilo for roadway improvement work, according to the department.
Alternating single lane closures will also be in effect on Hawaii Belt Road, also known as Route 19, between mile markers 28 and 29, in the vicinity of Kaawalii Gulch, in North Hilo for roadway improvement work, according to the department.
Crews will be working from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday, according to the department.
Alternating single lane closures remain in effect 24 hours a day, seven days a week on the Umauma Stream Bridge on Hawaii Belt Road, near mile marker 16 in Hakalau, for bridge repairs, according to the department. Vehicle weight is limited to 25 mph and the speed limit over the bridge is 25 mph. Vehicles weighing 25 tons or greater must use Kuniho Road, Old Mamalahoa Highway and Leopolino Road as a detour route.
By local sources
