72nd Recruit Class 01-15-08

Hawaii Police Department
Office of the Chief
Lawrence K. Mahuna
Phone: 961-2244
January 15, 2008

(Select photo for larger image.) Photo: 72nd Recruit Class in uniform Hawaii Police Department 72nd Recruit Class
From left, standing:Kawehilani Fo, Daniel Kuwabara, Larry Flowers,
Kimmerlyn Makuakane-Jarrell, Aaron Loges, Sharon Yoon,
Blaine Morishita, Shane Davis, Eric Ontiveros.
Seated: Keith Simeona, Marlin Hopson, Erhard Autrata,
Bronson Acdal, Jason Hamada, Alex Kapana.

Media Release

Fifteen members of the Hawaii Police Department’s 72nd Recruit Class were recognized Tuesday (January 15) during ceremonies held at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel.

The police recruits, who underwent five-and-a-half months of intensive training, will now undergo three-and-a-half more months of on-the-job field training with veteran police officers before they are qualified to work alone.

During Friday’s luncheon ceremony, Class President Larry E. Flowers Jr. said the recruits came from California, Massachusetts, South Carolina, Alaska, Alabama, Tahiti, Japan, Oahu and the Big Island. They all joined the Hawaii Police Department, he said, because they have a fondness for the Big Island.

Deputy Chief Harry Kubojiri said police officers are held to a higher standard than the average citizen or county worker. “That higher standard is justified because of the powers that come with this job,” he said.

Police Commissioner Betsy Mitchell told the recruits they might have to bite their tongues at times. “Please remember it isn’t what you do, it’s the way that you do it that makes all the difference in the world,” she said.

County Council Vice Chairman Angel Pilago promised that the council will give the Police Department what it needs to do its job. “We stand behind you 100 Percent,” he said.

The keynote speaker was Tenari Ma’afala, president of the police union. He urged the recruits’ families to let them know if this career is not right for them. “It takes a very, very special individual to become a member of Hawaii’s finest,” he said.

County Managing Director Dixie Kaetsu congratulated the recruits on behalf of Mayor Harry Kim. “You are our heroes every day of the week,” she said.

Three of the recruits received special recognition for their excellence in training. They were Flowers, who excelled in academic training, Blaine H. J. Morishita, who excelled in firearms training and Marlin H. Hopson, who excelled in physical fitness training.

The other recruits recognized were Bronson R. Acdal, Erhard Autrata, Shane A. Davis, Kawehilani Fo, Jason K. Hamada, Alex T. Kapana, Daniel M. Kuwabara, Aaron L. Loges, Kimmerlyn K. Makuakane-Jarrell, Eric J. Ontiveros, Keith K. Simeona Jr., and Sharon Yoon.



This entry was posted in Media Releases. Bookmark the permalink. Both comments and trackbacks are currently closed.
  • Keep your community safe through Crime Stoppers

    Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the island-wide Crime Stoppers number at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.00. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers does not record calls or subscribe to any Caller ID service. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.

    The Crime Stoppers TV Program is available on-demand from Nā Leo TV.