Thromman hearing continued due to lack of Marshallese translator

KEALAKEKUA — The court case for Macdon Thromman, the man accused of engaging in a 20-hour stand-off with police, was delayed again Tuesday due to a lack of a translator.

Thromman, who has lived here around 20 years, is a native of the Marshall Islands, and his public defender, Ann Datta, requested a translator.

The state did not object and the district court granted the motion. But the scarcity of registered translators has lead to multiple delays, as various people have been found not qualified to translate.

Kauanoe Jackson, the prosecutor assigned to the case, said the issue is making sure the translators available are capable of relaying the information presented.

Tuesday’s hearing was the second extension of the mental competency hearing for Thromman. The hearing includes written testimony from three doctors about whether Thromman is in a mental state to understand what is happening in court.

Datta requested the hearing on July 21, saying her interactions with Thromman raised the question of his fitness.

The state lists five Marshallese interpreters who have passed the first level of the official translator examinations, three on the Big Island.

Translators with a level 1 registration are paid $25 an hour for their work. All translators receive 55 cents a mile for transportation.

To earn a level 1 certification, the person has to pass a criminal background check, pass a written English proficiency exam with 70 percent accuracy, the Hawaii basic ethics exam with 80 percent and attend a two-day basic orientation workshop.

A message left with Datta was not returned by press time.