A former state representative pleaded no contest to illegally receiving rocks from a historic preserve and heiau site in 2011.

Roland Diaz Sagum III, 58, of Kalaheo, changed his plea Tuesday to third-degree theft in 5th Circuit Court. The misdemeanor charge was reduced from the original class C felony charge of second-degree theft.

The state was represented at the hearing by County Second Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Rebecca Vogt. She read the charges in open court that Sagum and a co-defendant obtained unauthorized control over the rocks in value exceeding $300 from Kukui‘ula Development Company on June 27, 2011.

Sagum, represented by private defense attorney Craig De Costa, read a prepared statement saying he was not aware that his wall contained rocks from the development site. Read the full story.

And here’s the latest in other neighbor isle gov’t and politics:

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Judge backs Mauna Kea aerial hunting

Klein pleads not guilty to murder charge

Lack of funding might stall Papaikou beach trail project

Four-story hotel proposed for downtown Kihei project

Hawaii Council: We’re not paying old legal bills

Social Security Administration satellite hours in Kona

Maui real estate sales fall off, but prices up

Hanamauulu sees 2nd sewage spill in 1 week

Photo courtesy ericrichardson.

—Chad Blair