Schofield unit to join in Thailand training
About 500 soldiers of the 25th Infantry Division (Light) stationed at Schofield Barracks are headed to Thailand next week. They will be part of a force of 14,000 U.S. service members participating in Cobra Gold exercises May 15-29.Cobra Gold is an annual training exercise designed to ensure regional peace and foster relations between the United States, Thailand and others, according to an Army press release.
This year, the exercise focuses on enforcement operations and a noncombatant evacuation operation, the release said.
"Cobra Gold gives our soldiers the opportunity to enhance their military skills in a demanding training exercise," said senior training officer Lt. Col. Mark Milley.
Other U.S. forces participating in the training come from Marine Forces, Pacific; Pacific Air Forces; U.S. Pacific Fleet; Special Operations Command Pacific as well as Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps reserves.
Dermatological society highlights skin cancer
Skin cancer screening is available free of charge tomorrow at several Longs Drugs Stores across Oahu.Physicians from the Hawaii Dermatological Society will do the screenings.
Students from the John A. Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawaii-Manoa will provide educational materials about skin cancer. Free samples of sunscreen will be provided.
The screenings will be available from 10 a.m. till noon at Pali, Kailua, Moiliili, Manoa and Mililani Longs. And those who go to the Pali Longs will see a demonstration of DermaScan technology, which can locate damaged skin areas.
Local programs get funds from AmeriCorps
The AmeriCorps State Competitive Grants Program has awarded more than $800,000 to fund two local programs.A grant of $290,980 will go to the Access to Justice Program under the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii. Another $529,356 will go to fund the AmeriCorps Center to End Violence under Volunteer Legal Services.
"These grants enable the under-served population in Hawaii to have access to legal services," said U.S. Rep. Patsy Mink (D, rural Oahu-neighbor islands).
At Legal Aid, AmeriCorps members provide legal services on issues such as divorce, eviction, domestic abuse, welfare terminations, and debtor's rights to low-income families.
At Volunteer Legal Services, members teach conflict resolution and mediation, academic tutoring and mentoring, security and crime prevention awareness, legal needs and rights of children and provide legal services for victims of domestic violence.
AmeriCorps members participating in these service projects are eligible to receive an education award of up to $4,725 to cover education expenses or the repayment of existing student loans. Members also receive a living allowance.
Corrections and clarifications
>> Keith Haugen's nom de plume is Hans Christian Haugen. An incorrect name was given in Friday's Weekend section.
The Honolulu Star-Bulletin strives to make its news report fair and accurate. If you have a question or comment about news coverage, call Publisher and Editor in Chief John Flanagan at 529-4748 or email him at jflanagan@starbulletin.com. Corrections and clarifications
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHonolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
Bank robbery suspect sought by police and FBI
Honolulu police and the FBI are looking for a bank robber who pulled a handgun last week in the Waipahu branch of City Bank. According to police, the suspect ordered customers and employees on the ground, took money from tellers, then fled on foot.The bank robbery took place on Friday, May 4, at 3:30 p.m. The suspect is described as a male in his 30s, 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighing 160 pounds. He was wearing a military-type camouflage hat, a dark jacket, white gloves and tan pants.
He was last seen carrying a black handgun and a beige bag with straps. Anyone with information about this suspect is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or *Crime on a cellular phone.
Hilo man charged with kidnapping ex-girlfriend
HILO >> Police said they have charged Gregory Isabel, 31, of Hilo, with kidnapping and other offenses for the alleged abduction of his former girlfriend.About 1:15 a.m. on May 3, Isabel allegedly confronted the victim in a bar, in violation of a court order. He then hid in her car until she drove away with another woman.
The victim stopped the car and tried to run away, but Isabel forced her into the car, ordered the friend out, and drove away. He released her unharmed about 4 a.m.
Isabel is being held in lieu of $24,000 bail.
Police open investigation into Salt Lake homicide
Honolulu police have opened up a homicide investigation after autopsy reports revealed that a Salt Lake man died of a single gunshot wound to the chest. The decomposed body of the 46-year-old victim was found last Friday in his Kahikolu Way home.No weapon was found in the victim's home. He was last seen alive a little more than a week ago, police said.
