KAHULUI >> A Hawaii high school junior has become the first woman in state history to enlist and receive an Airborne infantry contract.

The Maui News reported that Baldwin High School junior Cassidy Matschke will report to basic training and advanced individual training next year at Fort Benning, Ga.

“I didn’t even know it, and it didn’t prompt me to make a particular decision, but I think it’s great to be the first one, because I’ve always tried to be an advocate for women to do anything they want,” Matschke said.

Matschke is the third female from Hawaii to enlist as an infantry soldier since front-line combat branches opened up to women last year.

Airborne infantry soldiers are able to drop from airplanes into battle.

“I’m definitely nervous and scared, but what person in their right mind wouldn’t be?” Matschke said, adding that she would rather jump out of planes than sit at a desk.

Matschke scored above average on the Armed Forces Vocational Aptitude Battery test and passed physical exams before landing the Airborne infantry contract last week.

Kauai

Judge lets 2 men stay on land

LIHUE >> A judge has decided not to forcibly remove a couple of Native Hawaiian men from an abandoned hotel property on Kauai.

The two men claim they own the land as descendants of Kauai’s last ruler.

The state filed the motion to remove the men, claiming they have been trespassing since March.

“According to the tax map key, which is maintained by the state and the County of Kauai, it does list the properties are owned by Coco Palms Hui LLC,” said Ashley Uyeno-Lee, district prosecuting attorney.

The tax map can have inaccuracies, though, Judge Michael Soong said.

“There are transactions that occur that are not updated immediately,” Soong said.

Noa Mau-Espirito, one of the men who have been staying on the property, told the court the motion requires that the title of the property be established.

“The title of issue would have to be confirmed first before they can ex-parte me from the property,” he said.

Soong said the proper course of action would be for the complainants to file a civil ejectment action.