The Aloha Exchange Club of East Hawaii recognized Officer Donovan Kohara as "Officer of the Month" for April in a luncheon ceremony held May 22.

Kohara was recognized for his investigative skills that led to the deportation of an illegal immigrant in possession of forged identification cards.

The case began as a report of a found wallet. While attempting to locate the wallet's owner, Kohara discovered it contained eight bogus identification cards, including two forged Social Security Cards.

"Although the true identity of the person was in question, Officer Kohara's persistence and diligence paid off when he located the person responsible," said Lieutenant Mitchell Kanehailua, who nominated Kohara for the award. "His perseverance in going the extra mile resulted in the apprehension and deportation of a person who was illegally in this country and clearly bent on criminal activity were that person to remain in Hawaii."

As "Officer of the Month," Kohara is eligible for "Officer of the Year."

The East Hawaii Officer of the Month award is a project of the Aloha Exchange Club of East Hawaii.

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