Hawaii fourth-year linebacker Alema Tachibana will be allowed to resume practicing with the football team while awaiting the outcome of his driving-under-the-influence trial, which was rescheduled for Nov. 23.

Tachibana has been barred from practicing or competing in games since being arrested on June 18. He pleaded not guilty during a hearing in District Court in July.

Coach Norm Chow said Tachibana was suspended for breaking team rules.

Tachibana’s case was scheduled for trial on Monday afternoon. But the prosecutors requested a continuance because the key witness, the police officer, did not appear. Tachibana’s lawyer, R. Patrick McPherson, argued for the case to be dismissed. The prosecutor’s request was approved.

"We’ve done a lot of work and research and preparation for this case, and we come to court and the state’s not ready," McPherson said. "It happens. It’s what happens in the nature of human life. Sometimes you’re disappointed."

Chow said further disciplinary action will depend on the trial’s outcome. if Tachibana is acquitted, he likely will be immediately allowed to compete in games. If he is found guilty, he probably will face a suspension.

UH punter Alex Dunnachie and quarterback Cayman Shutter were suspended for the first three games after entering no-contest pleas to DUI charges.

McPherson said Tachibana wanted to take his case to trial.

"If I thought we had no defense to the charge whatsoever, we may have done the same thing (Dunnachie and Shutter) had done," McPherson said. "We’re not looking at this in terms of: ‘Can he play next week?’ We’re looking at this as he’s an excellent student with an excellent future. A conviction may hamper the goals he wants to accomplish in life."