A 51-year-old man from China is facing a federal criminal charge in Hawaii after he allegedly hid his background as a lieutenant colonel in the People’s Liberation Army and Communist Party leader on his visa application.

Fanlin Lin is charged with a single count of fraud and misuse of visas, permits and other documents. He was charged by federal criminal complaint Thursday , and made his initial appearance Tuesday. His detention hearing is scheduled for Friday. The U.S. Department of Justice filed a motion to hold Lin without bail until his trial.

Lin appeared Tuesday with the help of a Mandarin language interpreter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mohammad Khatib is prosecuting the case.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Hawaii declined comment in response to Honolulu Star-Advertiser questions about what Lin was allegedly doing in the U.S. Lin’s attorney did not immediately reply to a Star-Advertiser request
for comment.

He was arrested July 1 at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport trying to enter the country.

Lin was issued a 10 year B-1/B-2 visa on June 27, 2017, based on his visa interview “that he described his purpose of travel as a cultural visit to Hawaii,” according to federal court records.

The B1/B2 visa is a U.S. nonimmigrant visa for temporary business (B-1) and tourism or medical treatment (B-2) visits, often combined into a single visa, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

In 2017, Lin listed current employment in 2017 as a general manager for Beijing Moze International Cultural Development Co. He listed prior employment as a deputy director of the Chinese Foreign Language Bureau Education Training Center and his prior education as having studied physical education at the
Beijing Sports University.

Lin responded “No” to the questions: “Have you belonged to, contributed to, or worked for any professional, social, or charitable
organization?”; “Do you have any specialized skills or training, including firearms, explosives, nuclear,
biological, or chemical experience?” and “Have you ever served in the military?”

On July 1, Lin was stopped and questioned by Customs and Border Protection officers after he presented his Chinese passport and B-1/B-2 visa. Lin was flagged by CPB’s Collateral Threat Response Team.

Lin admitted he also attended the Peoples Liberation Army Military Institute.

“When asked why he did not declare his education at a PLA Institute on his U.S. Visa application, Lin stated that the school had closed down and that he worried it might reflect poorly on his visa application,” read an affidavit from a Homeland Security Investigations agent.

CBP searched Lin’s iPhone 17 Pro and found his PLA discharge certificate, listing him as having joined in 1994 and left service in 2011, leaving the PLA as a lieutenant colonel and having been last assigned as an officer with the Chemical Defense Command Engineering College.

During the interview with CBP, Lin allegedly admitted that he had been employed by China’s army and had
basic firearms training as a part of his military service. Lin also allegedly admitted to being a current member of the Chinese Communist Party who holds a “leadership role in his local branch,” according to
federal court records.

PLA officers and officials have long been a concern of U.S. military and intelligence officials.

The PLA continues to make steady progress toward its 2027 goals, whereby the PLA must be able to achieve “strategic decisive victory” over Taiwan, “strategic counterbalance” against the United States in the nuclear and other strategic domains, and “strategic deterrence and control” against other regional countries,”according to the
Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China, 2025 report to Congress.

“In other words, China expects to be able to fight and win a war on Taiwan by the end of 2027,” read the
report.

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Newly redesigned Hawaii driver’s licenses and state IDs are beginning to arrive in mailboxes statewide.

The Department of Customer Services said more than 50,000 residents who renewed or obtained a license or state ID starting in mid-May began receiving the new cards last Friday.

Officials said the updated cards are made of 100% polycarbonate, with laser-engraved photos and added security features intended to deter tampering, fraud and identity theft.

The department said existing driver’s licenses and state IDs remain valid until their expiration dates and do not need to be replaced.

“There’s no reason for them to request a duplicate unless they would like the new card design,” said Kim Hashiro, director of the Department of Customer Services.

Residents were also reminded that temporary paper licenses are not accepted by the Transportation Security Administration for air travel. Travelers using a temporary credential should bring another acceptable form of identification, such as a passport.

Permanent plastic cards are typically mailed within six to eight weeks after an application is submitted, officials said.

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A Maui dive shop will welcome customers back this weekend after its Lahaina storefront was destroyed in the 2023 wildfires.

Maui Diving & Sporting Goods will hold a grand opening on Ulupono Street on Saturday, beginning at 9:30 a.m.

“Losing the shop in the fire broke my heart, but reopening in Lahaina was never in question,” said store owner Jessica Pickering. “This town gave me everything I have right now. Rebuilding right here in Lahaina is my way of saying we’re still standing, we’re still here for our community, and we’re ready to enjoy this life with you.”

The business will offer the same services it’s known for at the new locations, including scuba instruction, guided dives, snorkel tours, freediving, as well as gear rentals and sales.

The grand opening will include a blessing followed by giveaways, games, and other activities.