Army warns of increased noise
Residents near Schofield Barracks may experience increases in noise Monday through Thursday as a result of scheduled training in small arms and artillery live fire.
The training will be conducted from about 10 a.m. to 3 a.m.
Army officials warn that training is likely to occur late into the night. Dates and times are subject to change, as the training is contingent on required environmental conditions, such as wind speed and moisture levels. Additionally, overcast conditions may increase noise and vibrations. Smoke may also be visible for a short time.
To report concerns related to noise or training, call the U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii Noise Concern Line at 656-3487.
Jet ski operators fined by court
Two thrillcraft operators have been fined $300 each and ordered not to operate their vessels for 30 days after they were caught operating jet skis within Waianae Small Boat Harbor in August.
A Waianae District Court judge fined Tai Vandyke of Paia, Maui, an employee of Volcom Inc.; and Abraham Wills of Waianae, a city lifeguard, on Oct. 14.
The pair also were cited for operating jet skis without possessing required certifications and navigation lights.
A Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement officer observed both individuals operating their jet skis within Waianae Small Boat Harbor on Aug. 28.
Big Isle joining in aid for Japan
Hawaii island is joining in a relief drive to raise money for Ohshima, Japan, Hawaii County’s sister city ravaged by typhoon Wipha on Oct. 16.
Also participating in the Aloha Ohshima drive are the Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Hawaii, Japanese Community Association and Kona Japanese Civic Association.
Through the end of December, donations to "Aloha Ohshima" will be accepted at Bank of Hawaii branches statewide.
In Japanese, Ohshima means "big island," Hawaii County officials said Friday in a news release.
Man described as unfit for trial
HILO » A man charged in a 2012 Hilo shooting death is unfit for trial, a state psychologist testified Thursday.
Dr. Thomas Cunningham said at a fitness hearing for Mark Anthony Whyne that he interviewed the former teacher three times. He concluded that Whyne experiences schizophrenia, the Hawaii Tribune-Herald reported.
Cunningham described Whyne’s answers to questions as "odd" and "excessively vague."
"He showed what I found to be an inadequate interest in putting on a defense," Cunningham said.
Whyne was a special-education teacher at Pahoa High School and Honolulu’s McKinley High School, resigning in 2011. He has been charged with second-degree murder and weapons offenses in the Dec. 29 death of Faafetai Fiu at Mooheau Park on Hawaii island. Police reports indicate that Fiu was shot eight times.
Whyne was arrested Feb. 4 at Wailoa Small Boat Harbor. He was carrying a fanny pack that held a 9 mm handgun, police said. Ballistic tests matched rounds fired from the gun to shots that killed Fiu, police said.
