Closure and courage: Man faces justice following teen’s abduction from West Hawaii beach

Hawaii News Now, News

A Hawaii Island man accused of abducting a 15-year-old girl and holding her captive in a bus on his Hilo property two years ago pleaded no contest to multiple charges in a Kona courtroom Tuesday morning. Cher Angelel spoke on behalf of her daughter, Mikella, after the hearing. The family expressed deep gratitude, thanking everyone who had a part in not only bringing the teen home, but also those who have helped to deliver justice in this years-long case.

Death Of Foster Child Leads To $750,000 Settlement Pending Approval By Legislature

Civil Beat

The state has tentatively agreed to pay $750,000 to settle a lawsuit over the mysterious death of a 3-year-old boy in state foster custody in 2017 on the Big Island.

Fabian Garett-Garcia died on July 25, 2017, and his caregivers told authorities he was injured by accident when he fell on his face from a 3-foot-high bench while wearing virtual reality goggles at the foster home in Waimea.

Town Hall: Maui Insurance Claims – Live Feed Replay & Self-help Docs

Maui

A third wrongful death lawsuit has been filed in connection with a COVID-19 outbreak at Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home in Hilo that has killed 27 residents.

Kona attorney Jeffrey Foster filed the civil suit Wednesday in Hilo Circuit Court on behalf of Tracy Bennedsen, Margaret Robinson and Roberta Plancich, sisters of 73-year-old Stephan Plancich of Ka‘u, who died Sept. 17 of a COVID-19 infection received at the facility.

Defendants in the case include Avalon Health Care Group and several of its subsidiaries; Tina Irwin, Avalon’s regional vice president for Hawaii; and governmental “Doe” entities.

Hawaii family sues maker of electric hydrofoil surfboard over youth surf champion’s injury

Hawaii News Now

A third wrongful death lawsuit has been filed in connection with a COVID-19 outbreak at Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home in Hilo that has killed 27 residents.

Kona attorney Jeffrey Foster filed the civil suit Wednesday in Hilo Circuit Court on behalf of Tracy Bennedsen, Margaret Robinson and Roberta Plancich, sisters of 73-year-old Stephan Plancich of Ka‘u, who died Sept. 17 of a COVID-19 infection received at the facility.

Defendants in the case include Avalon Health Care Group and several of its subsidiaries; Tina Irwin, Avalon’s regional vice president for Hawaii; and governmental “Doe” entities.

Honoka‘a Woman Indicted in Connection to Foster Child’s Death

Big Island Now

“For the last two and a half years, the Garett-Garcia family has been stuck in a purgatory, waiting for Fabian’s killer to be held legally accountable for Fabian’s death. While the legal charges for the foster mother confirm the family’s worst fears, it also serves as an indictment for the foster care system on Hawaii Island. The family hopes that Fabian’s death will result in long overdue changes to the foster care system and a pledge of the necessary financial resources to protect children.”