Military Suicides Increased In Hawaii Despite Mandatory Training

Hawaii sees rise in military suicides 
KITV News
By Paul Drewes
Jul 15, 2015

Those numbers don't take into account veterans, reservists, or members of the National Guard, which means the military suicide rate is even higher.

HONOLULU —An average of 180 people kill themselves in the islands each year. That comes out to nearly one every other day.

A suicide on an Oahu hiking trail over the weekend brings to light that tragic statistic and also the high number of military suicides happening in Hawaii.

Along with drills to prepare for dangerous missions in war zones around the world, Hawaii's Army soldiers go through training to help spot another potential killer.

"All soldiers are required to go through an hour and a half of annual training gearing up for suicide prevention," said Brent Oto, who heads the Army's suicide prevention program.

"When it comes to something like suicide it can affect anyone at any time. Whether you're a soldier or a civilian...anyone," Oto said.

The latest military suicide happened over on Kuliouou Trail. The medical examiner determined the 35-year-old Mililani man shot himself in the head. He was confirmed to be a U.S. Army soldier.
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