Language problems stall hearing for man accused of shootings

Macdon D. Thromman





KAILUA KONA >> A court hearing ended early after a certified translator could not be found for a 37-year-old man accused of shooting two people.
West Hawaii Today reports that 37-year-old Macdon Thromman of Kapaau appeared in Kona District Court on Friday to face a slate of 22 charges related to a Tuesday standoff with police in North Kohala.
Deputy Public Defender Ann Datta requested a Marshalese interpreter for Thromman. The initially appointed translator was not certified and used a phone connection that made it difficult for him to hear the judge and attorneys.
Judge Margaret Masanaga agreed with Datta that a new translator was necessary and set a preliminary hearing for 1 p.m. Tuesday at the court in North Kohala.