Hawaiʻi Police Department
Office of the Chief
Chief Harry S. Kubojiri
Phone: 961-2244
Hawaiʻi Island Safety and Security Professionals Association Vice President Bill King presents a ‘Kohala Officer of the Quarter’ award to Thomas Koyanagi.
Media Release
The Hawaiʻi Island Safety and Security Professionals Association recognized Officer Thomas Koyanagi as “Kohala Officer of the Quarter” during a ceremony Friday (January 9).
Koyanagi, who is assigned to the South Kohala District, was honored for his overall performance and for a traffic stop that led to two arrests and the recovery of an assortment of illegal drugs.
On October 12, he was conducting traffic enforcement when he observed a driver talking on a cell phone while driving on Kawaihae Road. During the traffic stop that followed, Koyanagi detected the odor of marijuana from the passenger compartment and then saw a plastic bag with a crystalline substance fall from the driver’s passport. He arrested both the driver and the passenger, who was wanted on a $2,000 bench warrant.
As a result of the traffic stop, police recovered 3.91 grams of crystal methamphetamine, .09 grams of black tar heroin, 431.88 grams of marijuana, 13 Schedule III prescription pills, and paraphernalia associated with the use and distribution of illegal drugs.
Sergeant Charles Adams noted that Koyanagi also has investigated more criminal, traffic and miscellaneous public investigations than any other officer in the district and that he is one of South Kohala’s highest traffic enforcers.
The Hawaiʻi Island Safety and Security Professionals Association is an organization of hotel and airport security managers and visitor industry professionals. Its “Kohala Officer of the Quarter” program is an opportunity to recognize outstanding officers from the North Kohala and South Kohala districts.
