I had a friend who had a cat similar to this. If it ever caught you with you hands open, his favorite thing was to bite you right between your thumb and index finger! I don't remember the background of this kitten. I know he was declawed and I've read that this causes trauma. Clearly this kitty has some BIG issues!
Perhaps this kitty, just like some humans has some sort of chemical imbalance in his noggen. Kitty prozac or sedatives might be the answer. Clearly your friend can't live terrorized by the kitty so I suspect she will have to do something. Behaviourist, kitty therapy, something!