HONOLULU — Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell says he’s appointing a Northern California forensic pathologist to be the city’s new medical examiner.
Dr. Christopher B. Happy’s appointment must be confirmed by the Honolulu City Council. The city said Monday it will announce Happy’s start date once he is licensed to practice in Hawaii. He’s expected to get his license in a few months.
Honolulu hasn’t had a chief medical examiner since Dr. Kanthi De Alwis retired in 2009.
The city raised the annual salary for the job to $250,000 from $200,000 after struggling to find qualified candidates for the position.
The city says Happy is currently employed as a consulting forensic pathologist in Northern California.
He’s previously been assistant medical examiner in San Francisco and chief medical examiner in Milwaukee.
Police: Woman shot self at Maui firing range
LAHAINA, Maui — Maui police are investigating the death of a woman who shot herself during a firearms education safety class.
The 44-year-old Lahaina woman was participating in the class at the Ukumehame Firing Range on Sunday.
Police say that without warning, she put the barrel of a loaded revolver under her chin and pulled the trigger. She had loaded the .22-caliber revolver herself.
Police say instructors who witnessed the shooting had no time to react before the gun was fired.
The name of the woman is being withheld pending notification of her family. Lt. William Juan says if it’s ruled a suicide, her name won’t be released.