From the Hawaii Tribune-Herald:

A hearing was supposed to be held Tuesday to decide whether bail would be set for a 32-year-old Hilo man accused of scamming investors of more than $1 million in a so-called “advance fee” scheme.

Instead, the Federal Public Defender’s Office has bowed out of the case of Justin Wade Smith, citing the effects of federal budget cuts on the office that provides legal counsel to many of the criminal defendants in U.S. District Court. Read more.

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

UH Maui College energy program sees deadline extension

600-pound debris found during Hanamaulu Beach cleanup

Big Isle auto sales surge

Education the focus of Rep. Gabbard’s Kauai visit on Tuesday

Christie’s religion defense taken under advisement by judge

Hawaiian Home Lands meeting scheduled on Molokai

Troubled Hilo water tank price tag rises

Kauai’s health assessment report released

The circus is coming to Molokai

Land Board approves fencing of Kau watershed

Wanted: Wailua Golf Course vendor

Photo: Bustling downtown Hilo. (Ken Lund)

—Chad Blair