All five soldiers were evacuated yesterday to Hilo Hospital and then to The Queen's Medical Center.

The incident is being investigated, the Army said, giving no further details.

Hawai'i soldiers are conducting live-fire training on the Big Island in preparation for a summer deployment to Iraq.

The dead soldier's name is not expected to be released before tomorrow.

Approximately 7,000 Schofield Barracks soldiers, including the division headquarters, 3rd Brigade and aviation brigade, are expected to head to northern Iraq around August for a yearlong mission.

The 109,000-acre Pohakuloa Training Area is used by multiple military services for aircraft and ground troop training.

Soldiers with the 325th Brigade Support Battalion, a unit heading to Iraq, spent 25 days at Pohakuloa and participated in night and day convoy training involving simulated roadside bombs, pop-up targets and live-fire exercises. The "Mustangs" of the 325th also conducted machine-gun qualifications and practiced driving military vehicles. More than 200,000 rounds of ammunition were fired, and the soldiers covered thousands of miles.

Troop maneuvers on the Big Island have been stepped up after a federal court's Feb. 2 decision rejecting an Army bid to resume live-fire training in Makua Valley on O'ahu, saying the service must abide by federal environmental law that requires a comprehensive study of the effects of more than 60 years of military training in the valley.

Schofield helicopters regularly transport soldiers and equipment to the Big Island.