Annual Report

Fiscal Year 2007-2008

Hawai'i Police Department

County of Hawai'i

[Read the PDF version].

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Contents

Mission Statement/Vision Statement/Core Values............................. 2

Letter from the Police Chief............................................................... 3

Letter from the Police Commission Chair........................................... 4

Hawai‘i County Police Commission..................................................... 5

Feature Storie

Police Cadet Program.........................................................................6

Police Vehicles................................................................................... 7

Electronic Control Device................................................................... 9

Victim Services Assistant................................................................. 10

Photos of Police Administration....................................................... 12

Organization Chart.......................................................................... 13

Internal Affairs/CIU.......................................................................... 14

Community Policing.......................................................................... 16

SRT.................................................................................................. 18

Administrative Bureau..................................................................... 19

Operations Bureaus........................................................................ 22

Criminal Investigations Divisions..................................................... 23

Area I Patrol Districts........................................................................29

Area II Patrol Districts..................................................................... 34

Traffic Enforcement Unit.................................................................. 37

Grants............................................................................................. 38

Budget............................................................................................ 41

Personnel Changes......................................................................... 42

Statistical Tables & Charts............................................................... 44

Cover photo by Sandy Tokeshi

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Mission Statement

The employees of the Hawai‘i Police Department are committed to preserving the Spirit of Aloha. We will work cooperatively with the community to enforce the laws, preserve peace, and provide a safe environment.

Vision Statement

The Hawai‘i Police Department is committed to providing the highest quality of police service and forming partnerships with the community to achieve public satisfaction making the Big Island a safe place to live, visit, and conduct business.

Core Values

Integrity

Professionalism

Compassion

Teamwork

Community Satisfaction

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Police Department

Harry S. Kubojiri Police Chief Hawai'i Police Department

2007–2008 Annual Report

Hawai‘i County Police Commission
County of Hawai‘i
101 Aupuni Street, Suite 313
Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720

Dear Commissioners:

I am pleased to submit the Hawai‘i Police Department’s Annual Report for fiscal year 2007–2008.

During this fiscal year, we continued to make improvements in our department to help us provide the best possible service to the residents of the island of Hawai‘i. As in recent years, we continued with ongoing state-of-the-art training for our officers and civilian employees.

We also took new steps to enhance officer safety. One was the addition of the Taser electronic control device. This device allows an officer to temporarily incapacitate a combatant suspect when circumstances warrant this level of force, thereby contributing to the safety of both the officer and the suspect. To further enhance officer safety, we acquired the “Bearcat” armored vehicle, which protects the department’s Special Response Team during high-risk encounters. We acquired the vehicle through a federal grant at no cost to the county.

In our recruitment efforts, we began a police cadet program geared toward young people interested in pursuing careers in law enforcement but not yet old enough to join the Police Department as recruits. With the cadet program and other recruitment strategies, our target date for full staffing was the end of Calendar Year 2008.

Our officers continue to make progress in fighting the war on crystal methamphetamine and other illegal drugs through enforcement and preventive measures. On the preventive side, School Resource Officers work with schools to provide positive role models and teach curriculum designed for school children, including anti-drug classes.

All of these efforts in Fiscal Year 2007–2008 took place under the command of Chief Lawrence K. Mahuna, who retired at the end of 2008. I am honored and privileged that you selected me to continue where he left off and to lead the men and women in this department to the next level of excellence.

We remain committed to enhancing our partnership with the community through community policing and participation in neighborhood and charitable events. We look forward to working with our neighbors to make the island of Hawai‘i a safe place to live, visit and work.

On behalf of the entire Police Department, I thank you for your continued support.

HARRY S. KUBOJIRI
POLICE CHIEF

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Hawai‘i County Police Commission

Pudding Lassiter Chair Hawai'i County Police Commission

The Honorable William Kenoi
Mayor, County of Hawai‘i
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720

Dear Mayor Kenoi:

In 2007, the Hawai‘i County Police Commission held monthly meetings with a rotating schedule that took us to Hilo, Waimea and Kona. The commission’s busy schedule

included hearings from the public regarding island wide public safety issues and ways to improve service and safety to the community. During this time, the commission

always had the opportunity to hear from Chief Lawrence K. Mahuna and members of his management staff.

Throughout the year, commission members attended the recruit recognition ceremonies for new police officers, attended commanders meetings, participated in Police Week and took part in various island wide community meetings.

The commissioners attended annual conferences both on other islands and on the mainland. These were always an educational experience and a welcome opportunity to network and share ideas with other conference members.

It was my great pleasure to chair this commission and to represent Council District 1. It was a particular honor to serve with my fellow members of the Police Commission: Anita Politano Steckel (Council District 2), Kaloa Robinson (Council District 3), Louis Kaoiwi (Council District 4), Karolyn P. Lundkvist (Council District 5), Betsy Mitchell and then Richard J. Behenna (Council District 6), Vice Chair Melvin S. Morimoto (Council District 7), Thomas P. Whittemore (Council District 8) and Michael B. Sumja (Council District 9).

PUDDING LASSITER
CHAIR, HAWAI‘I COUNTY POLICE COMMISSION

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Hawai‘i County Police Commission

At Right, the members of the Hawai‘i County Police Commission at the end of the 2007–2008 Fiscal year: Commissioner Thomas Whittemore, Police Commission Secretary Josie Pelayo, Commissioner Richard Behenna, Commission Vice Chair Melvin Morimoto, Commissioner Anita Politano Steckel, Commissioner Michael Sumja, Commissioner Karolyn Lundkvist, Commissioner Louis Kaoiwi and Commission Chair Pudding Lassiter.

Nine Big Island residents proudly serve on the Hawai‘i County Police Commission. The mayor appoints one member from each district and each appointment is subject to confirmation by the Hawai‘i County Council.

The commission’s most important responsibilities, as delineated in the Hawai‘i County Charter, are to appoint and remove the police chief at its sole discretion, confirm the chief’s appointment of a deputy chief, and consider public complaints against the department or any of its members and then submit findings to the chief.

According to the County Charter, the commission’s other functions are to:

• Adopt rules it may consider necessary for the conduct of its business and regulation of the matters committed to its charge and review the rules and regulations of the department
• Review the department’s annual budget prepared by the police chief and make recommendations thereon to the managing director and mayor
• Submit an annual report to the mayor and the County Council
• Advise the police chief on police-community relations
• Hire personnel necessary to carry out its functions
• Evaluate at least annually the performance of the Police Chief and submit a report to the mayor, managing director and County Council

At the end of the fiscal year, the Police Commission members were:

• Chair, Pudding Lassiter, District 1—Hāmākua
• Vice Chairman, Melvin S. Morimoto, District 7—South Kona
• Anita Politano Steckel, District 2—South Hilo
• (Vacant), District 3—South Hilo
• Louis Kaoiwi, District 4—South Hilo
• Karolyn P. Lundkvist, District 5—Puna
• Richard J. Behenna, District 6—Upper Puna
• Thomas P. Whittemore, District 8—North Kona
• Michael B. Sumja, District 9—North and South Kohala

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Police Cadet Program

Police Cadets Charmaine Sylva, John Caudell, Aaron Abalos and Micah Stevens train in police procedures using mock firearms made of plastic.

The Hawai‘i Police Department’s new Police Cadet Program officially began October 4, 2007, with its first cadet class.

Seven young men and two young women cadets became part-time employees of the Police Department. During their three-year cadet program, they won’t carry guns or have arrest powers but they will observe and participate in many different facets of police work and acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to become a police recruit.

This cadet program is designed to appeal to recent high school students who are interested in becoming a police officer but aren’t old enough to apply for the job, and to anyone else interested in pursuing a law enforcement career. The goal is to give the cadets the same training police recruits get but at a slower pace. That way, they can make a transition into an abbreviated police recruit class when they reach age 21, the minimum age requirement for becoming a police officer.

The cadets also have the chance to participate in the Police Department’s Police Cadet Tuition Reimbursement Program for completing classes at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo or Hawai‘i Community College. The college experience will broaden their backgrounds, expand their academic skills and prepare them for future advancement in the Police Department.

The cadets work three hours per week the first year and up to 19 hours per week the second and third years, earning $18.45 an hour.

The cadet program is a Police Department project in partnership with the Department of Human Resources, Hawai‘i Community College, the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo and the State of Hawai‘i Organization of Police Officers. 

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Police Vehicles

Officers Nicole Leyson and Louie Ondo Jr. pose in front of a new marked police car.

During this fiscal year, the Police Department obtained an armored tactical vehicle, purchased 18 new marked blue and whites, and equipped six unmarked police cars with special equipment.

We took possession of the $240,000 armored “Bearcat” in July 2007, becoming the first police department in the state to acquire an armored vehicle from the Department of Homeland Security. The vehicle, which is being used by our Special Response Team, provides armored protection for officer safety in domestic terrorist events and other high-risk situations. It was purchased at no cost to the county through grants from the Office of Domestic Preparedness in the Department of Homeland Security.

The purpose of the 18 new marked police vehicles is to increase police visibility on Big Island roads for both residents and visitors. Newcomers to the island and visitors from the mainland expect to see marked patrol cars so they will feel they are in a safe environment. The 10 Ford Expedition SUVs and eight Crown Victoria sedans augment 12 existing SUVs and the subsidized officer-owned vehicles that

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routinely patrol the island topped with blue dome lights.

The hope is that the highly-visible blue and whites will reduce certain specific crimes, especially crimes of opportunity, such as property crimes, vandalism and other illegal activities. They are also being used in checkpoints that screen for drunk drivers, speeders and motorists who violate seat belt laws.

Captain Steven Guillermo, commander of the Puna District, said the fleet vehicles have been well received by officers and members of the public in his district, which has many unpaved roads. “We have received nothing but positive feedback,” he said.

This year the Police Department also converted seven subsidized vehicles into unmarked cars for the Traffic Enforcement Unit. The unmarked cars are equipped with blue led lights above the rearview mirror, in the vehicle’s grille and on the rear deck and have strobe lights hidden in the headlights and taillights.

An eighth unmarked vehicle was scheduled to go into service in the next fiscal year.

According to Sergeant Christopher Gali, head of the Traffic Enforcement Unit, unsafe motorists who spot a regular subsidized police car often turn off the highway to elude police. Without the telltale blue dome light, officers in the unmarked cars can better observe motorists who are under the influence of alcohol or driving aggressively. Gali said officers also have cited a number of drivers for passing the unmarked cars in no-passing zones or on the right shoulder of the road.

Police often use the unmarked vehicles to patrol the new section of Saddle Road, where citizens have complained about numerous cases of speeding and reckless driving. In one case, Gali watched in his rear-view mirror as a vehicle overtook several cars before passing his own going 94 miles per hour.

Another example in which unmarked cars proved invaluable was when Gali heard a car burning rubber and found it in the middle of the road doing “donuts.” The driver had an open bottle of beer and was legally drunk.

The Traffic Enforcement Unit officers with the unmarked cars have been able to arrest many motorists for driving under the influence because they were able to follow the cars long enough to gain the reasonable suspicion needed to stop them, Gali said.

Officers who drive the unmarked cars do so in full police uniform. The Police Department encourages any member of the public who wants to verify an officer’s legitimacy to ask for identification or call 911 by cell phone.

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Electronic Control Device

The electronic control device has been added to the tools available to officers of the Hawaii Police Department. It has been shown to reduce injuries to officers, suspects and innocent bystanders

In Fiscal Year 2007-2008, Hawai‘i County police officers began using electronic control devices, which are more commonly known by their brand name, “Taser.”

The Taser electronic control device is a tool police can use when non-lethal force is necessary to subdue a suspect. Across the country, electronic control devices have significantly reduced injuries to officers and suspects and have drastically cut the number of officer-involved shootings.

Hawai‘i Police Department officials decided to make the device available to police officers partly because of a study by the Maui Police Department. The study showed that after Maui police started using the electronic control device, officer injuries dropped by more than 70 percent and injuries to arrested persons dropped by 48-50 percent. Chief Lawrence K. Mahuna was impressed by those results.

In this police department, training in the use of electronic control devices began in November 2007. By the end of that month, 225 Hawai‘i Police Department personnel from patrol lieutenants and below had undergone the eight-hour training sessions, which included a review of the Police Department’s policies and procedures on the use of force. Eventually, all sworn personnel were trained and equipped with the devices.

When an electronic control device is deployed, it propels two stainless steel probes attached to 21 feet of copper wire approximately the diameter of fishing line. This results in temporary neuromuscular incapacitation, giving officers time to handcuff a suspect who had been actively resisting arrest or posing a threat to police or innocent bystanders. Afterward, there is no residual pain or other effect.

One of the first times the Hawai‘i Police Department used the device was to subdue a drunken 27-year-old man who was throwing baseball-size rocks at cars traveling on a Hilo roadway. One of the rocks shattered a window and hit a 3-year-old boy in the face, causing a laceration, a fracture and a brain injury. By using the electronic control device, officers were able to subdue the man without endangering any more members of the public. The man was eventually arrested, charged and sentenced to 10 years in prison for his actions.

As for the safety benefits to the officers, the Hawai‘i Police Department was accident free during the entire month of February 2008.

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Victim Services Assistant

Victim Services Assistant Lillian Tavares provides counsel to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.

The Police Department has a domestic victim services assistant, Lillian Tavares. Her job, which is 75 percent funded by a federal grant, also requires her to track domestic violence and sex assault statistics out of the Juvenile Aid Section.

When a suspect is charged with abuse, sexual assault or violation of a court order, a victim counselor from the prosecutor’s office usually provides support to the victim. But when the suspect has yet to be charged, Tavares is the person who reaches out to that victim, most often a woman.

She calls her, tells her she is there for her and gives her the status of her case. Because national data have identified women between 18 and 24 as having a high rate of intimate partner violence, Tavares alerts women between those ages that they are in a high-risk group.

She refers victims to agencies that provide crisis intervention—such as shelters—and she tells them how to get a temporary restraining order. She acts as the liaison between the victim, police and prosecutors. She answers questions about the status of the victim’s case and general questions about police procedures.

Perhaps most important, she sends the victims a brochure explaining domestic violence and telling them how to develop a safety plan — a set of steps one can take to escape from more violence. The brochure provides tips, including how to get the victim and the victim’s children out of the home safely during an argument, how to become more independent, how to be safe at home and work.

Although it is not a requirement of the grant, Tavares also closely tracks cases involving assaults of intimate partners because those cases are more serious and often reflect escalating violence against a victim. She enters the stats into a database and tracks them to help improve services.

Tavares provides training to police about domestic violence at least once a month.

One of the tips she gives them is that the choking of an intimate partner is a “red flag” that can be a precursor to the use of

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a weapon. Other signs of high risk are the victim’s age and immigration status.

Tavares created a brochure about her services and put them in the area at the Police Department where citizens go to renew a driver’s license.

She considers families “the first safety net” for victims. If they hear fighting, they should call the police for early intervention.

“When someone dies from abuse, family members always call in to tell us what they know,” Tavares says. “By then it’s too late.”

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Commanders—Fiscal Year 2007–2008

	Harry S. Kubojiri Deputy Police Chief
	Paul Ferreira Assistant Chief Administration Derek Pacheco Assistant Chief Area I Operations Henry Tavares Assistant Chief Area II Operations
	Marshall Kanehailua Major Administrative Services Division Larry Weber Major Technical Services Division Samuel Thomas Major Operations Bureau Area I John Dawrs Major Operations Bureau Area II

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Hawai‘i Police Department Organization Chart

Police Commission

     Police Chief

          Headquarters CIU/IA

               Deputy Police Chief
               Administrative Bureau
                    Administrative Services
                         Finance
                         Word Processing
                         Public Relations
                         SRT Administration
                         Human Resources
                              Safety/Workers’ Comp
                              Personnel
                              Training
                              Community Relations/R&D
                    Technical Services
                         Communications Maintenance
                                      Computer Center
                         Communications Dispatch
                                       Records & Identification
                          Traffic Services PMVI
                          Traffic Services Driver Licensing
               Area I Operations Bureau
                                      Criminal Investigations Div.
                              Criminal Investigations Sec.
                              Criminal Investigations Sec.
                              Vice Section
                              Juvenile Aid Section
                              Crime Lab
                              SRT Activation
                         South Hilo Patrol
                         North Hilo District
                         Hāmākua District
                         Puna District
                         Traffic Enforcement Unit
                         Community Policing
                              Community Police Officers
                              School Resource Officers
                              D.A.R.E.
                              HI-PAL
             Area II Operations Bureau
                         Criminal Investigations Div.
                              Criminal Investigations Sec.
                              Criminal Investigations Sec.
                              Vice Section
                              Juvenile Aid Section
                         Kona Patrol
                         South Kohala District
                         North Kohala District
                         Ka‘ū  District
                         Traffic Enforcement Unit
                         Community Policing
                              Community Police Officers
                              School Resource Officers
                              D.A.R.E.
                              HI-PAL

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Internal Affairs/CIU

Commanders: July 2007—Capt. Marshall Kanehailua/June 2008—Capt. James O’Connor

The Internal Affairs and Criminal Intelligence Units report directly to the police chief.

Internal Affairs (IA)

The Internal Affairs Unit consists of two detectives who are responsible for investigating allegations of employee misconduct and reviewing investigations done by supervisors. The investigations are conducted not only to determine whether misconduct occurred but also to discover any underlying procedural, training, or individual failings. During Fiscal Year 2007–2008, the Internal Affairs Detectives conducted 59 administrative investigations.

To help meet the goals of the department’s mission and vision statements, the Internal Affairs Unit drafted the mission statement above. It aims to accomplish three objectives:

• Protection of the Public by investigating allegations of police and employee misconduct, recommending changes in procedures and identifying training needs to provide the highest quality of police service.
• Protection of the Employee against false or malicious allegations of misconduct by ensuring fairness and accuracy in all investigations.
• Protection of the Department by identifying employees engaging in misconduct and taking appropriate action to maintain the veracity and positive reputation of the Hawai‘i Police Department.

The Police Department is committed to investigating all allegations of misconduct and to taking appropriate steps when any officer or employee fails to meet its high standards. Members of the public who wish to file complaints against any department employee can obtain forms from any district station or may visit the department’s web site at www.hawaiipolice.com  to download and print the forms.

As in past years, the Internal Affairs Unit continues to conduct Quality Control and Compliance Inspections

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(QCCI) of department employees, vehicles and facilities. This fiscal year, Internal Affairs conducted 339 such inspections. The purpose is to prevent abuse, misuse, fraud and waste of departmental resources. The goal of the qcci is to provide a safe working environment, maintain a degree of government and public trust, and prevent departmental liability, while creating an attitude of pride and discipline.

Criminal Intelligence Unit (CIU)

The Criminal Intelligence Unit (ciu), which maintains offices in Hilo and Kona, consists of two detectives and four officers. The unit gathers, maintains and analyzes intelligence to keep police administrators informed about the extent, nature and characteristics of organized crime activity and drug trafficking organizations and issues dealing with homeland security. In addition, the unit is responsible for conducting criminal history checks for prospective employees of the department as well as other state and federal law enforcement agencies.

The unit is a member of the Law Enforcement Intelligence Unit (leiu), which is a national organization for criminal intelligence officers, a member of the state organization of Inter-County Criminal Intelligence Unit (icciu), the department’s liaison to the Joint Terrorism Task Force (jttf) and a member of the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force.

The unit participated in two icciu conferences, where county, state and federal law enforcement officers discussed drug trends and shared intelligence related to organized crime and drug-trafficking organizations.

Ciu regularly conducts intelligence briefings and in-service training to investigators and patrol officers. During Fiscal Year 2007 – 2008, the unit participated in 166 criminal investigations, conducted 467 criminal history checks and provided assistance to various elements within the police department as well as other county, state and federal law enforcement agencies.

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Community Policing

Commanders: July 2007—Area I, Lieutenant Andrew Burian/Area II, Sgt. Nancy Haitsuka

June 2008—Area I, vacant/Area II, Sgt. Nancy Haitsuka

The people of Hawai‘i County have continued to embrace the Community Policing philosophy. Its strategy is to prevent crime, reduce the fear of crime, apprehend those who commit crimes, and provide a safe environment through the use of a proactive problem-solving approach and established partnerships.

At the end of Fiscal Year 2007–2008, the Community Policing section had 35 authorized positions including a supervising sergeant in Area ii and a lieutenant in Area i. Of those, 15 positions were allocated for Community Police Officers, six for School Resource Officers, two for hi-pal officers and one for a civilian.

During the fiscal year, our Community Police Officers, School Resource Officers and hi-pal staff continued to pursue partnerships with community groups in a collaborative effort to address substance abuse, homelessness, crime, homeland security, lack of youth activities and numerous other issues.

During Fiscal Year 2007–2008, Community Police Officers partnered with the following groups, resulting in the following outcomes:

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Our School Resource Officers are stationed at six intermediate schools throughout the island and also reach out to students at many feeder schools. The school is considered a community within a community, and with law enforcement present, it becomes a more complete community. The School Resource Officers wear three hats: law enforcement, teacher, and counselor. They deal with crimes on campus, teach classes to students, provide presentations when requested, and act as liaisons between the school and the Police Department. These officers continue to provide dare classes, law-related training, counseling and mentoring to students daily and are involved in school intramural activities.

Community Police Officers also continued with DARE+ Days, a summer daytime activity. Dare+ Days provided drug resistance education combined with various activities, such as cooking classes, sports and fishing.

The Weed and Seed endeavors continue to be successful, with collaborative efforts in Pāhoa and the surrounding community to provide crime prevention presentations on topics such as identity theft, home security and drug recognition. Recently a Hawai‘i Tourism Authority Grant was secured, some of which will fund the upgrade of Pahoa surveillance cameras. For the Fiscal Year 2007–2008, police efforts in and around the site have resulted in 180 arrests for various crimes, including 13 liquor violations, 17 drug violations, and 56 violent crimes.

Our Community Policing staff regularly attends Neighborhood Watch and community association meetings to provide crime prevention presentations. Other notable Community Policing activities include:

• Merrie Monarch Festival, Downtown Hilo Hoolaulea, July 4 festivities
• Keiki id projects
• Graffiti paint-over projects and beautification projects.
• Sign waiving projects that raise community awareness for domestic violence, child/vehicle safety and drug abuse
• Downtown Hilo Neighborhood Watch Aloha Patrol
• Weed and Seed Steering Committee meetings and activities
• Vash meetings and activities

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Lieutenant Samuel Kawamoto pops his head out the hatch of one of the Special Response Team’s specialized vehicles.

Special Response Team (SRT)

Commander: Acting Lieutenant Samuel Kawamoto

The Special Response Team (SRT) is mobilized for high-risk, tactical operations involving barricaded suspects, hostage situations, and high-risk warrant services. The team also provides security for visiting dignitaries and politicians.

The unit consists of specially selected and equipped full-time and part-time officers who train extensively throughout the year to maintain a high level of proficiency. The unit’s Crisis Negotiation Team receives special training to develop communication skills that are necessary for defusing volatile incidents.

From July 2007 through June 2008, srt responded to one barricaded suspect, served 12 high-risk warrants, provided one security detail and completed two special assignments.

From its inception until 2006, the srt responded to 59 incidents, resulting in a peaceful resolution every time.

The SRT’s training and other day-to-day operations fall under the Administrative Services Section. When the team is mobilized, its tactical activities fall under Area i Operations.

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Administrative Bureau

Commander: Assistant Chief Paul Ferreira

The Administrative Bureau is divided into two divisions—Administrative Services and Technical Services. A police major heads each one.

Administrative Services Division

Commanders: July 2007—Maj. Jay Enanoria/June 2008—Maj. Marshall Kanehailua

The Administrative Services Division includes the Finance Section, Word Processing Section, Public Relations Section and Human Resources Section. It also is responsible for the day-to-day activities of the Special Response Team.

The Finance Section is responsible for payroll, accounts payable, officers’ gas and oil accounts, special duty work, inventory and other finance-related tasks.

The Word Processing Center is responsible for transcribing all narrative police reports that sworn personnel dictate into a digital recording system. The reports become the official documents that detail the Police Department’s criminal investigations. In Fiscal Year 2007–2008, the Word Processing Center transcribed more than 329,130 minutes of police dictation.

The Public Relations Section is responsible for maintaining the department’s web site, responding to inquiries from the news media, producing the cable access television program “Hawai‘i Island’s Most Wanted” and publishing the department’s annual report and employee newsletter. In addition, the chief does a monthly interview on kpua radio to discuss various police issues.

The Special Response Team (SRT) is mobilized for high-risk, tactical operations involving barricaded suspects, hostage situations, and high-risk warrant services. The team also provides security for visiting dignitaries and politicians. The srt’s day-to-day operations fall under the Administrative Services Section. When the team is mobilized, its activities fall under Area i Operations.

The Human Resources Section oversees safety and workers’ compensation, personnel, training, community relations, and research and development.

Throughout Fiscal Year 2007–2008, the Police Department, in cooperation with the Department of Human Resources, continued an aggressive Police Officer Recruitment campaign. The campaign involved continuous open recruitment supported by media advertisements, participation by officers in career fairs, school appearances and magazine advertisements. As part of this campaign, the department’s Community Policing program, which includes School Resource Officers, took part in school and community functions to provide information and encourage students to consider law enforcement as a career.

A key new component of recruitment was the department’s Police Cadet Program, which began with its first class on October 4, 2007. During a three-year program, police cadets will observe and participate in many

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different facets of police work and acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to become a police recruit. The program is designed to appeal to recent high school students who are interested in becoming a police officer but are not old enough to apply for the job, and to anyone else interested in pursuing a law enforcement career. The goal is to give the cadets similar training to what police recruits get but at a slower pace. In partnership with Hawai‘i Community College and the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, the department was pleased to provide one qualified cadet with tuition reimbursement through the Police Cadet Tuition Reimbursement program.

The department also conducted training for the 72nd, 73rd and 74th recruit classes. At the end of Fiscal Year 2007–2008, 15 of the recruits had district assignments, 11 were awaiting district assignment on September 1, 2008, and seven were scheduled to enter their field training phase on August 16, 2008.

The department provided 10,581 hours of training to its personnel. This equates to 1,322 days. Overlapping recruit classes account for the number being much greater than a 365-day year. The department has increased its training from the previous year by approximately 20 percent.

Technical Services Division

Commanders: July 2007—Maj. Henry Tavares/June 2008—Maj. Larry Weber

The Technical Services Division is in charge of the Communications Maintenance Section, Computer Center, Communications Dispatch Section, Records and Identification Section, Traffic Services (Periodic Motor Vehicle Inspection) Section and Traffic Services (Driver Licensing) Section.

In December of 2007, the Records and Identification Section became current with cases being “deferred” to the prosecutor’s office for criminal prosecution. When a case is given a deferred status, it indicates that the police investigator believes there may be enough evidence to hold a certain individual responsible for a particular crime and wants the Office of the County Prosecutor to review the investigation for possible charges. In these cases, one or more persons may have been arrested but released without charges pending further investigation. Once the investigation is completed and forwarded to the prosecutor’s office for review, it is officially considered deferred. A year and a half ago, the Records and Identification Section was backed up as much as 11 months. Through teamwork and many hours of hard work, the backlog was eliminated. Now, when an officer sends a deferred case, the entire investigation reaches the prosecutor’s office the same day or the next day, depending on when it is sent.

The Records and Identification Section took a giant step toward going paperless in March 2007, when it began sending entire reports to the prosecutor’s office electronically. This was done only in cases in which a suspect was arrested and charged. In Fiscal Year 2007–2008, the Records and Identification Section sent 11,328 such cases to the prosecutor’s office.

The Communications Dispatch Center continued to work with wireless service

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providers to enhance the Wireless Enhanced 911 (WE911) system deployed in April 2007. During Fiscal Year 2007–2008, the Police Department worked with those service providers to deploy 94 new towers and 258 new sectors while auditing, changing or verifying 399 that already existed. This process includes updating the geographic information system map layers and verifying the data that is displayed during a live 911 call. That helps the dispatchers determine the location of callers so they can send assistance to them. Five new layers were added to the existing Positron mapping system and 22 layers were updated.

The Dispatch Center received 139,251 emergency 911 calls during Fiscal Year 2007–2008, with only 16 percent of those being transferred to the Fire Department. The Police Department’s 911 calls result in the initiation of a call-for-service officer response. Including response to non-emergency calls, the Dispatch Center initiated 184,295 Computer Aided Dispatch calls for service this fiscal year. That was an increase of more than 5,000 calls from the previous fiscal year.

The department successfully completed two police radio dispatcher recruit classes to increase staffing. At the end of the fiscal year, those employees were undergoing on-the-job training to become solo police radio dispatchers.

The Police Department received $333,870 in federal grant funds, which the Traffic Services Section oversees, for traffic enforcement and equipment purchases to improve traffic safety. This year the department obtained a new grant to combat aggressive drivers in the districts of Kona, South Kohala and Ka‘u. The funds were used to pay overtime for checkpoints and other enforcement projects aimed at decreasing injuries and deaths in motor vehicle crashes by increasing seat belt use rates, apprehending impaired drivers, and enforcing speed regulations and illegal “outlaw” road racing.

The Traffic Safety Coordinator position, which was originally funded by the state’s Safe Communities grant program, is now funded by the county. The coordinator oversees the Hawai‘i County Impaired Driving Task Force, which is committed to reducing impaired driving fatalities on the Big Island.

In 2007 the department issued 2,976 more driver’s licenses than the previous year, bringing the total to 125,063. During the fiscal year, the Driver Licensing Section conducted 5,517 road examinations.

Other Traffic Services Section highlights include:

• 92 road closure permits issued
• 1,063 violation letters sent out to motorists
• 8,863 written driver’s tests processed
• 1,319 requests for cdl licenses processed
• 537 safety check stations inspected by Periodic Motor Vehicle Inspectors
• 237 school crossing guard checks conducted
• 195 impound letters sent out to vehicle owners

For the Communications Maintenance Section, Macro Corporation was the final choice as the radio consultant for improving the county’s land mobile radio system. This task is ongoing and various funding sources are being explored. Macro has recommended a 700 MHz trunking system to replace the present vhf conventional system. Planning is now under way to implement this for public safety agencies and county agencies that use wireless communications.

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Operations Bureaus

Area I—East Hawai‘i

Commanders: July 2007—Asst. Chief James Day/Maj. Samuel Thomas

June 2008—Asst. Chief Derek Pacheco / Maj. Samuel Thomas

Area II—West Hawai‘I

Commanders: July 2007—Asst. Chief Derek Pacheco/Maj. John Dawrs

June 2008—Asst. Chief Henry Tavares/Maj. John Dawrs

The Area ii Operations Bureau includes investigative and patrol operations in West Hawai‘i. The 2,345 square-mile area includes the districts of North Kohala, South Kohala, Kona and Ka‘u, each headed by a captain.

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Criminal Investigations Divisions

Commanders: July 2007—Area I, Capt. Larry Weber/Area II, Capt. Paul Kealoha

June 2008—Area I, Capt. Randall Medeiros/Area II, Capt. Paul Kealoha

The Police Department’s investigative operations fall under the Criminal Investigations Divisions, one in Area i and one in Area ii. Cid commanders oversee the operations of the Criminal Investigations Section, Juvenile Aid Section and Vice Section with operations in both Area i and Area ii. Area i also includes the Crime Lab in Hilo.

The division is responsible for investigating:

• felony crimes of violence
• property crimes
• identity theft
• fraud
• crimes involving juveniles
• youth gangs
• sex crimes
• domestic violence
• narcotics offenses
• gambling (including cockfighting)
• prostitution
• drug trafficking

Technology is on the rise, even for criminals. Our officers know this and remain committed to technological advancements that can help us keep our communities safe.

On the national level, homeland security, computer crimes and human trafficking are the hot topics in policing. Because crime has no borders, we continue to form strong partnerships with federal and state agencies committed to the suppression of inter- and intra-state crimes occurring in multiple jurisdictions.

It is apparent that our law enforcement duties have expanded beyond the traditional role of keeping the peace. It now extends to prevention, intervention, problem solving and education. With escalating roles, responsibilities and growing areas of involvement, the Criminal Investigations Division will continue to evolve and grow with the times and the current needs of the community we serve, allowing us to continue the preservation of the quality of life on Hawai‘i Island and to ensure a safe and secure environment for residents and visitors alike.

Criminal Investigations Sections (CIS)

Commanders: July 2007—Area I, Lt. Randall Medeiros/Area II, Lt. Robert Wagner

June 2008—Area I, Vacant / Area II, Lt. Robert Wagner

The Criminal Investigations Sections investigate all major crimes, such as murders, felony assaults, major property crimes and financial crimes. In addition, Cis detectives respond to all reported suicides, child deaths and other deaths with questionable circumstances.

During Fiscal Year 2007–2008, Area I CIS investigated 1,734 crimes. Of that number, 753 were burglaries, 500 were thefts and 440 were financial crimes. In comparison to the previous fiscal year, this represents a 20

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percent increase in the number of burglaries investigated, a 42 percent decrease in thefts and a 41 percent decrease in the number of financial crimes investigated. The overall solution rate for Area I CIS this fiscal year was 68 percent. Most notable was a 300 percent clearance rate for murders/attempted murders.

During the fiscal year, Area i cis detectives initiated two attempted murder investigations and solved both of them. In addition, they solved four other murder or attempted murder cases that were still open at the beginning of the fiscal year.

One of those cases involved the June 19, 2007, fatal shooting of a 28-year-old man in Hawaiian Paradise Park. Early in the investigation, detectives identified a 45-year-old man as a possible suspect. Later that day, the man was the victim and sole occupant in a fatal one-car traffic crash in North Kohala. Although he was killed, detectives submitted the completed homicide investigation to prosecutors for review, something that is not uncommon in cases of this magnitude. Prosecutors concurred with detectives’ findings.

The suspect in a “cold case” murder investigation was indicted for the 1987 killing of a 65-year-old Hilo woman. In January 2008, a Hawai‘i Island grand jury indicted the 44-year-old suspect for this previously unsolved case. The man was already serving a prison sentence for a 1997 murder on Oahu. Investigating detectives noted similarities in the method of operation in the two killings. They also determined that the suspect lived on Hawai‘i Island at the time of the Hilo murder. That information and further investigative efforts by Area i cis detectives helped secure the indictment.

In November 2007, a particularly disturbing case involved a home invasion robbery in the Hawaiian Acres Subdivision of Puna. Patrol officers were dispatched to the scene in response to a report that several men had entered a house occupied by three men and a female minor. The victims reported that between three and five men demanded specific property from them. One of the suspects wore a mask. Two brandished firearms. During the ordeal, the female minor was sexually assaulted. Through determined investigative efforts, detectives charged one of the responsible parties and identified others.

A Crime Stoppers tip led to the arrest of a 48-year-old man in Waianae, Oahu. He was charged with attempted murder for an incident on November 25, 2007, in Fern Forest, Puna. In that case, a male victim was hospitalized after being woken overnight by a man who entered the victim’s Fern Forest home and began beating him with a rubber mallet and a baseball bat. The victim fell unconscious and suffered numerous broken bones and internal injuries. After the victim provided the partial identity of his attacker, detectives were able to identify a suspect who had fled the island shortly after the crime. Police secured an arrest warrant and executed it with the assistance of officers from the Honolulu Police Department. The suspect had recently been released from prison after serving a 20-year term for a 1986 manslaughter conviction on Oahu.

On July 18, 2007, a 23-year-old woman reported being abducted, taped to a tree, shot five times with a shotgun and left to die in a remote forest area in the district of Ka‘u. The complex investigation into this attempted murder case required effective planning and coordination followed by the swift deployment of personnel from both Area i and Area II CID. The detectives’ investigative skills led to the arrests of a 35-year-old man and three

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women. The investigation revealed that the male suspect, who lived with his girlfriend, had been involved with the victim in an intimate relationship tainted with drug use and jealousy. The suspect’s actions were the result of his desire to end the relationship.

On August 12, 2007, a 26-year-old woman from Hilo was arrested and charged with arson and other related charges after she was identified through outstanding crime scene and investigative work by Area ii cis detectives. The woman intentionally set fires to three business establishments in the middle of Kailua-Kona at 3 a.m. As the fiscal year ended, the woman remained in custody with serious mental health issues.

On September 12, 2007, acting on a tip from the public, Area II CIS detectives successfully recovered expensive and rare Malaysian Artifacts that had been stolen from the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel in 2006. A 37-year-old man from South Kohala was arrested in connection with that investigation. Subsequent search warrants were executed, which connected the South Kohala man and his associates to numerous other burglaries and thefts in the South Kohala and Kona areas.

On October 13, 2007, a 44-year-old man from Miloli‘i was arrested and charged with robbery and other related offenses after he was positively identified as the person who entered a home on Hawai‘i Belt Road in South Kona and threatened a 14-year-old girl who was home alone. The suspect removed several items from the house while in the presence of the girl. Following collaborative partnerships between cis detectives, the media and residents of South Kona, he turned himself in to the Hilo station without incident.

Juvenile Aid Sections (JAS)

Commanders: Area I, Lt. Earl Hatada/Area II, Lt. Glenn Uehana

The Juvenile Aid Section is primarily responsible for the investigation of sexual assaults, domestic violence and other family-related crimes, as well as internet crimes involving child exploitation. Jas also investigates runaways, truants, curfew violators and serious crimes involving juvenile offenders. Two officers in jas are also trained as canine handlers to assist in investigations of missing persons.

The Juvenile Aid Section has on staff a Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SAFE) Coordinator, who is a nurse examiner who specializes in forensic/medical examinations of victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. The safe Coordinator also actively recruits other nurses to become certified nurse examiners in the safe program to provide these services across all areas of the island.

A Victim Services Assistant remains on staff in the East Hawai‘i Juvenile Aid Section. The coordinator inputs and analyzes data on reported crimes of domestic violence and sexual assaults. In addition, she serves as a liaison for the department with social service agencies and victims of family and sexual violence.

For Fiscal Year 2007–2008, Area I Juvenile Aid Section detectives investigated 244 reports of sexual assault (compared with 141 in 2006–2007) and 426 reports of domestic violence and related crimes (compared with 188 the previous year). This was in addition to their other cases.

In July of 2007, Area I JAS detectives investigated the sexual assault of a minor in

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which the suspect was associated with a South Hilo church, where the attack took place. Investigators were able to arrest the perpetrator after a grand jury issued an indictment for his arrest. In June 2004, he was convicted of four counts of sexual assault.

In November of 2007, detectives investigated a report of a minor student subjected to fondling by a school employee. Investigators arrested an educational aide for sexual assault at his Puna elementary school workplace. He was convicted of two counts of sexual assault in May 2008.

The Area II Juvenile Aid Section investigated 120 sexual assault cases and cleared 119 (99 percent). During the same period, police investigated 65 child abuse and abuse of family/household member cases. Of those, they cleared 52 cases (80 percent).

On September 24, 2007, a woman reported being sexually assaulted and nearly drowned by an ex-boyfriend at a remote Ka‘u beach. After a lengthy investigation, the man was arrested and charged with a number of offenses, including attempted murder, kidnapping and sexual assault. He accepted a plea agreement and is serving a prison sentence.

On January 19, 2008, a woman reported being sexually assaulted after accepting a ride to a home in Ka‘u. Although police did not know the suspect’s identity, they obtained a photo taken the day of the assault and disseminated it in partnership with local media. As a result, he was identified and apprehended as he attempted to board a flight to the mainland. His trial was pending at the end of the fiscal year.

On January 27, 2008, a female child reported being sexually assaulted over time by a man in her Kona household. Upon completion of an in-depth investigation by Area ii jas detectives, the man was arrested and charged with four counts of sexual assault. This case was pending trial at the end of the fiscal year.

Vice Sections

Commanders: Area I, Lt. Samuel Jelsma/Area II, Lt. Lucille Melemai

The Vice Sections (augmented by the Ice Task Force and the Airport Task Force) are responsible for preventing and suppressing all forms of commercialized vice activity, including prostitution, gambling and illegal trafficking of narcotics. Special operations and covert programs are in place to combat the cultivation of marijuana and distribution of illegal drugs. Federal and state grants sometime provide the necessary funding to accomplish these objectives.

Marijuana eradication numbers decreased by more than 50 percent compared with the previous year, although arrests for commercial promotion of marijuana and felony possession of marijuana increased by almost 40 percent. The success of state and federal eradication programs appears to have forced commercial growers indoors to continue their illegal activities.

The supply of hard drugs, such as cocaine and heroin, appears to have remained the same. Prices for both have decreased, most likely due to the high cost and low quality of methamphetamine being recovered. Arrests for methamphetamine—still the biggest threat to the community—have decreased. It is believed that disruptions of meth trafficking organizations in 2005 have left a void, whereas newer

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organizations are attempting to gain a foothold. The Ice Task Force constantly identifies new organizations and develops new techniques to infiltrate and disrupt them as they evolve.

Vice officers belong to the statewide Narcotics Task Force, statewide Marijuana Eradication Task Force and the Domestic Cannabis Eradication Suppression Program and are involved in joint operations with the Drug Enforcement Administration, the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The Vice Sections also are part of the Hawai‘i High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area task force.

In August 2007, the Area I Vice Section executed a search warrant on an Ainaloa subdivision home in Puna, where they recovered 117.2 grams of powdered cocaine. Arrested were a 40-year-old male Mexican national and his 27-year-old female companion. The man, who was detained by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, was attempting to set up a local drug trafficking organization by bringing narcotics into Hilo from California. Also seized was $1,840 in cash as well as a Nissan 4dsd.

In October 2007, the search of a home in the Hawaiian Paradise Park subdivision led to the recovery of 1.73 pounds of crystal methamphetamine, which had been recently transported to Hilo from Honolulu by a 29-year-old Honolulu man. The man and his four companions were arrested and police seized $5,839 in cash.

 A canine narcotics screening of a motor vehicle in Honoka‘a in February of 2008 led to a search warrant and subsequent recovery by Area i Ice Task Force officers of 128.3 grams of methamphetamine as well as the forfeiture of $8,061. A 38-year-old male Mexican national was arrested and detained for U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agents.

A lengthy investigation conducted by Area I Ice Task Force officers resulted in the arrest of a 25-year-old Puna man and the recovery of 89.2 grams of methamphetamine and a motor vehicle. The arrest led to the disruption of an established local drug trafficking organization.

Complaints from the community of a possible drug house in a remote Puna subdivision in June 2008 led Area I Ice Task Force Officers to recover 113.5 grams of methamphetamine and seize $2,672 in cash. Six persons were arrested in the raid, which led to charges against two Puna men, ages 38 and 47.

 A search warrant issued on a property in Nanawale Estates in July 2007 led to the discovery of two separate marijuana growing operations resulting in the recovery of 172 marijuana plants, 9.3 grams of marijuana hash and 1.5 pounds of dried, processed marijuana and “hash” making equipment. Two men, ages 24 and 34, were arrested.

In December 2007, a 49-year-old Puna man was arrested on his property in Leilani Estates after a search warrant uncovered an indoor marijuana growing operation containing 101 marijuana plants and almost a pound of dry processed marijuana. Also recovered at the home were 10 unregistered firearms and $1,110 in cash.

In October 2007, the Airport Task Force at Keāhole International Airport encountered four men arriving in Kailua-Kona from Tijuana, Mexico, via a San Diego flight. After police conducted a consensual encounter, they recovered more than two pounds of crystal methamphetamine and $2,000 in cash from the carry-on bag belonging to one of the men. All four men were taken into federal custody on conspiracy and narcotic violations. The cash was seized for forfeiture. The men all pleaded guilty in federal court and were awaiting sentencing at the end of the fiscal year.

In May 2008, a suspicious parcel destined for Kailua-Kona and containing 216 grams of

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cocaine was intercepted at a commercial shipping company in Honolulu. The Airport Task Force took over the investigation and delivered the package to the intended address. As a result of the investigation, an unregistered 9 mm handgun and a .308 caliber assault rifle were also recovered from the home. A 26-year-old man was arrested and charged with numerous drug offenses.

In June 2008, a suspicious parcel containing 250.2 grams of crystal methamphetamine destined for Kailua-Kona was intercepted at a commercial shipping company in Honolulu. The Airport Task Force took over the investigation and delivered the package to the intended address. The investigation resulted in the arrest of two Mexican nationals for conspiracy, narcotics and immigration violations. At the end of the fiscal year, the men were in custody at the Federal Detention Center and awaiting court proceedings.

In November of 2007, the Area II Vice Section executed a search warrant at a home in the Kona Palisades subdivision. Police recovered 144 marijuana plants and 2,636.2 grams of dried marijuana from two indoor growing rooms. A 32-year-old man was arrested and charged with the drug offenses.

In February of 2008, the Area II vice officers executed a search warrant on a vehicle that had been stopped by Kona Patrol Officers for a traffic infraction. The vice officers prepared a search warrant after patrol officers smelled the odor of marijuana coming from within the vehicle. Vice officers recovered 971.2 grams of dried marijuana, 97.1 grams of cocaine, 26 grams of hashish, $5,635 in cash and three oxycodone tablets from the vehicle. When the 21-year-old male driver was arrested, he had $1,022 in his possession. The vehicle and $6,657 in cash were seized for forfeiture.

In March of 2008, the Area II Vice Section executed a search warrant on a 9.6 acre parcel of land in South Kona in connection with an investigation into gambling and cruelty to animals. Officers recovered 40 game fighting cocks (dead, injured and prepped for fighting), assorted cockfighting paraphernalia, minute amounts of marijuana and cocaine, a 30/30 rifle, a .22 caliber long rifle, a .357 caliber pistol and $1,628 in cash. Fifteen adults were arrested for cruelty to animals, gambling and immigration offenses. Nine of them were transported to the Federal Detention Center for violating immigration laws.

From January to June 2008, Area II vice officers conducted three prostitution operations. Officers arrested and charged 14 men with prostitution offenses. Six of them were transported to the Federal Detention Center for violating immigration laws.

In March of 2008, the Area II Ice Task Force executed a search warrant on a vehicle that was being operated by a 35-year-old woman. From the vehicle, vice officers recovered 155.3 grams of crystal methamphetamine and methamphetamine paraphernalia associated with the sale of methamphetamine. Additionally, $1,626 in cash was recovered and seized for forfeiture.

In May 2008, the Area II Ice Task Force recovered 85.7 grams of crystal methamphetamine and $13,330 in cash after investigation revealed that a 47-year-old man was responsible for transporting crystal methamphetamine to the Big Island from Mexico. In addition to the recovered money, officers seized a boat, a vehicle and numerous high-priced items for forfeiture. The man was taken into federal custody, where he was awaiting court proceedings as the fiscal year came to an end.

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Area I Patrol Districts

Hāmākua District

Commanders: Capt. July 2007—Capt. Edwin Rapozo/June 2008—Capt. Randy Apele

Area: 223 square miles / Authorized sworn positions: 18

The Hāmākua  District created Crime Reduction Units this past fiscal year to control and eliminate various offenses at parks and community functions. The cru details handled truancy violations, drug offenses, dui roadblocks, loud noise complaints, drinking complaints and warrant services. The details consisted of school resource and community police officers as well as patrol officers and resulted in 12 curfew and truancy arrests, five arrests for liquor violations, three arrests for marijuana possession and the service of four arrest warrants. CRU details were conducted once a month as manpower availability permitted.

Community Police Officers hosted several “Celebrating Families” drug-free events during the summer. The purpose was to promote family-oriented activities and games, which, in turn, strengthen our families and communities. Sixty community members attended the event at Pa‘auilo Park.

The Waipi‘o Education and Information Officer Program—known as the “Waipi‘o Ranger”—was initiated in August 2007 through a grant. Two private citizens act as information officers to provide a primary point of contact for visitors and residents at the Waipi‘o Lookout. The presence of the information officers has served to educate visitors about the natural and cultural resources and history of the valley, to remind visitors of protocol and behaviors expected in the valley, to conduct surveys and keep statistical information on the number of visitors and vehicles going into the valley, to report illegal or suspicious activity and to provide a crime deterrence through constant daytime presence.

A School Resource Officer (SRO) has been assigned to Honoka‘a High and Intermediate School since Calendar Year 2004. This officer has relieved patrol officers’ workloads by handling school-related crimes and calls for assistance and has provided a “uniform presence” for security at the school. The officer also coordinates programs at Honoka‘a and other schools in the district, including the Student Crime Stoppers program, Middle School Locker Program, Quarterly Reward Days and Drug Abuse Resistance Education (dare).

The Hāmākua District at Ka‘ala Gulch and the South Hilo District at Hakalau Gulch form the boundaries of the North Hilo District. Its police station is located on Pu‘u‘alaea Homestead Road, just west of the 25-mile marker off Old Mamalahoa Highway.

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North Hilo District

Commanders: July 2007—Capt. Edwin Rapozo/June 2008—Capt. Randy Apele

Area: 144 square miles/Authorized sworn positions: 12

The North Hilo District is served by 11 police officers (including a Community Police Officer), a sergeant and a police operations clerk.

The Community Police Officers from both the North Hilo and the Hāmākua Districts, along with the School Resource Officer at Honoka‘a, coordinated several drug free events in the North Hilo and Hāmākua Districts. In Laupāhoehoe, the Celebrating Families event was held in July 2007 at the Laupāhoehoe pool. Seventy-five community members attended the event, which included a drug-free poster contest, water games and dinner.

In November 2008, two drug-free pool bashes were held for 7th and 8th graders from Paauilo, Honoka‘a, Laupāhoehoe and Kalaniana‘ole schools. These events focused on building friendships, developing family values and living drug free.

Improvements were made at Laupāhoehoe Point County Park to discourage excessive noise and liquor violations and other illegal activity in the area. Cooperation between the Laupāhoehoe Community Police Officer and the Department of Parks and Recreation led to the installation of security lights that shine into the park’s pavilions and parking lot. This has greatly increased security in the area while not interfering with the natural shoreline environment.

In Fiscal Year 2007—2008, the North Hilo District had a 63 percent decrease in reported burglaries and cleared three out of eight reported cases, resulting in a 38 percent burglary clearance rate—up from 23 percent during the previous fiscal year. Theft cases were up 97 percent. However, the district cleared 49 percent (28 of the 57 reported thefts), up from 24 percent the previous fiscal year. The large increase in thefts was due in part to 12 connected cases related to the fraudulent use of one credit card and to a large number of thefts from homes in very remote areas. The Community Police Officer conducted increased public education at community meetings to raise awareness about theft prevention.

Traffic citations increased by 46 percent, including a 40 percent increase in speeding citations over the previous fiscal year. The district ended with two fewer dui arrests and had 82 traffic collisions, the same number as the previous fiscal year. Fatalities were down 100 percent, from two the previous fiscal year to one this year.

The Hāmākua District at Ka‘ala Gulch and the South Hilo District at Hakalau Gulch form the boundaries of the North Hilo District. Its police station is located on Pu‘u‘alaea Homestead Road, just west of the 25-mile marker off Old Mamalahoa Highway.

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South Hilo District

Commander: Capt. Kenneth Vieira

Area: 635 square miles/Authorized sworn positions: 80

The South Hilo police station doubles as the central police station for the entire Hawai‘i  Police Department. South Hilo Patrol and Community Police Officers also operate out of mini-stations located at Mo‘oheau Bus Terminal, Clem ‘Akina Park, Holomua Street, Waiākea-Uka Gym and Richardson Ocean Park.

The East Hawai‘i  Detention Center, located off the Hualālai Street entrance, began housing pre-arraignment detainees on July 8, 2003. The Detention Center has 18 individual cells, one observation cell, one padded cell and two temporary holding cells. Two of the individual cells can accommodate the disabled.

During Fiscal Year 2007–2008, the Hawai‘i Police Department, in partnership with the state Department of Public Safety, embarked on a program to reduce the large backlog of outstanding bench warrants. South Hilo Patrol personnel and sheriff’s deputies from the Department of Public Safety created a bench warrant service team. Police served 2,054 bench warrants—558 (37 percent) more than they served during Fiscal Year 2006–2007. In addition to bench warrants, South Hilo personnel realized a significant service increase for all other court documents. During Fiscal year 2007–2008, South Hilo Patrol personnel served 5,215 court documents, an increase of 1,313 (34 percent) over Fiscal Year 2006–2007. This program has proven to be a tremendous success.

Also during this fiscal year, the number of major traffic accidents in South Hilo decreased by 181 accidents (21 percent). This decrease is significant, as it follows a 13 percent decrease realized during the previous year. The district’s officers contributed to this decline with focused enforcement of traffic offenses and with aggressive efforts to apprehend drunk drivers. South Hilo Patrol officers issued 13,595 traffic citations or 16 percent more citations than the previous fiscal year. They also arrested 230 drunk drivers during this fiscal year, 26 percent more than the previous year.

The Aggressive Driving enforcement program also contributed to the sharp decline in major traffic accidents. This program, funded through discretionary monies provided by Councilman J Yoshimoto, targeted specific traffic infractions deemed to be aggressive driving behavior. The program, which was conducted during May and June 2008, involved officers using both marked and unmarked police vehicles for enforcement within the major traffic corridor linking the districts of South Hilo and Puna.

The communities in the South Hilo District experienced a significant decline in the number of thefts and related crimes. Reported thefts decreased by 23 percent, while reported auto thefts declined by 24 percent. Along with this decline, the Hawai‘i

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 Police Department realized a clearance rate of 53 percent for all theft cases that occurred within the South Hilo District. A program to improve the overall investigative quality and documentation for all theft and burglary cases conducted by South Hilo personnel contributed to these successes. This program, along with coordinated efforts between the South Hilo Patrol Division and Criminal Investigations Division, resulted in this outstanding clearance rate, as well as many other investigative successes.

Officers of the South Hilo Patrol Division are committed to the department’s core values and mission and vision statements. Their dedication during routine investigations often prevents future crimes, as the two examples below illustrate.

In April 2008, a South Hilo patrol officer responded to a report of a wallet found by a citizen. The wallet contained eight different identification cards, all depicting the same individual. The officer’s investigation led to the arrest of a 33-year-old Mexican national for forgery and other related identity theft crimes. She was found to be illegally in this country and was subsequently deported. The arrest likely prevented her from conducting further criminal activity on the Big Island.

In May 2008, businesses in downtown Hilo were being plagued by a rash of graffiti vandalism. On the night of May 10, two robberies were reported in the area within an hour of each other. Sharp police work led to the arrest of two teenage boys for the robberies and linked them to most of the graffiti that had occurred in the downtown area. Their arrests brought the rash of vandalism to an end.

The South Hilo District occupies the area between the North Hilo District at Hakalau and the Puna District at Pāpa‘i. Its police station is located at 349 Kapi‘olani Street.

Puna District

Commander: Capt. Steven Guillermo

Area: 683 square miles/Authorized sworn positions: 53

In Fiscal Year 2007–2008, the Puna District continued to experience a population and building boom. In the latter part of the year, however, it showed signs of a slowdown.

Working under the Weed and Seed Project, Community Police Officers continued working closely with Pāhoa residents, the business community and school officials in improving the quality of life.

During March of 2008, a lava flow crossed over the Kalapana Royal Gardens subdivision in lower Puna and made its way to the ocean at Waikupanaha. Hawai‘i  County established a site that allowed visitors a safe viewing of the lava entering the ocean. Agencies involved were Hawai‘i County Civil Defense, Hawai‘i Police, Hawai‘i  Fire, Hawai‘i County Public Works, Hawai‘i  County Parks and Recreation, the Department of Transportation’s State Highways Division, the Department of

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Land and Natural Resources and Hawai‘i  Volcanoes National Park.

By the end of the fiscal year, the lava activity had increased and continued drawing thousands of spectators during visitation hours.

In the latter part of March 2008, volcanic activity began at Halema‘uma‘u Crater in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Emissions from the crater raised concerns for residents of upper Puna due to potential health hazards and the possibility of evacuations. Although the crater continued to emit fumes and potentially hazardous gases at the end of the fiscal year, no evacuations became necessary.

Puna and South Hilo officers participated in an Aggressive Driving Project sponsored by District 3 Councilman J Yoshimoto between April 22, 2008, and June 30, 2008. This project targeted periods of high vehicular traffic on the main roads between Puna and South Hilo, especially during commuter traffic hours. During the enforcement period, police conducted 74 separate projects between both districts.

The goal was to reduce aggressive driving habits, such as speeding, passing violations, red light/stop sign violations, tailgating and improper lane usage. Officers also issued citations for other moving violations or regulatory traffic infractions. Officers hoped that the reduction of aggressive driving would result in a decrease of major traffic accidents in the area.

 The project led to 531 citations. Of those, 296 were issued for speeding, 12 for passing violations, 21 for red light/stop sign violations, nine for lane usage violations, four for tailgating, five for seat belt violations, 94 for regulatory violations and 94 for other moving violations.

 Puna experienced a 28 percent reduction in major traffic accidents in June 2008 (22 accidents) compared with June 2007 (38 accidents). This resulted in a decrease of traffic fatalities in the district of 43 percent.

The district also had a downward trend in crime with a 9 percent reduction in burglaries, an 8 percent reduction in thefts and a 41 percent reduction in robberies. Of those reported crimes, police cleared 19 percent of the burglaries, 33 percent of the thefts and 12 percent of the robberies.

The Puna District is situated between the South Hilo District at Pāpa‘i and the Ka’u District at Keauhou Landing. Its police station is located in Kea‘au at 16-200 Pilimua Street.

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Area II Patrol Districts

North Kohala District

Commanders: July 2007—Capt. James Sanborn/June 2008—Capt. Richard Miyamoto

Area: 123 square miles/Authorized sworn positions: 15

During Fiscal Year 2007–2008, the North Kohala District saw a drop in the number of reported burglaries and thefts. Burglary reports dropped from 39 the previous year to 30 this year, a decrease of 23 percent. Theft reports dropped from 67 to 61, a decrease of 9 percent. Thanks to strong community support and cooperation, the North Kohala District was able to clear 50 percent of the reported burglaries and 64 percent of the reported thefts.

During the fiscal year, the Traffic Enforcement Unit investigated two traffic fatalities in this district. Both accidents were investigated as first-degree negligent homicides with the resulting cases being closed as either arrested and charged or deferred to the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney.

The Community Police Officer continued working with the community and the schools with projects like dances, sporting events, dare and community presentations on a variety of subjects. This helped to build a better relationship of support between the community and police.

The North Kohala District is bounded by South Kohala at Kai‘ōpae and Hāmākua at Honopue. Its police station is located behind the Kamehameha statue in Kapa‘au at 54-3900 Akoni Pule Highway.

South Kohala District

Commander: Capt. James Sanborn

Area: 688 square miles / Authorized sworn positions: 33

This fiscal year, the communities in the South Kohala District had a number of suspicious brush fires, which consumed more than 2,600 acres. One fire caused about $100,000 in damage to waterlines and a much higher indirect cost to taxpayers for firefighting.

Residents in the South Kohala District experienced a slight increase in reported burglaries, 86, compared with 67 in Fiscal Year 2006 – 2007. In continuing collaborative efforts with the Criminal Investigations Division, the district realized a clearance rate of 23 percent of reported incidents. The increase in burglaries was attributed to a number of factors, including an influx of homeless criminal suspects in the community. Police are working with the community to raise awareness of social issues and crime prevention methods for protecting their property.

Reports of sexual assaults were also on the rise during Fiscal Year 2007–2008, with 37 compared with 25 in the previous fiscal year. It is difficult to determine whether this is due to an increase in actual incidents or an increase in reporting.

South Kohala realized another year of reduction in reported theft incidents at 371 cases compared with 593 in Fiscal Year 2006–2007.

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The most significant events occurring during Fiscal Year 2007–2008 were:

• A reported home invasion in which the residents were awakened to find someone in their home attempting to remove items. The suspect and homeowners struggled as the owners attempted to restrain the suspect while police responded. The suspect managed to escape before officers arrived. Police are continuing to investigate this crime. On a positive note, as a result of this incident, community efforts are under way to organize and initiate a Neighborhood Watch program.
• A reported robbery at a pharmacy where a suspect—reportedly armed with a firearm— managed to flee the area with four bottles of oxycodone as responding officers entered the parking lot.

South Kohala officers also focused on reducing traffic fatalities in their district through increased traffic enforcement efforts.

Patrol officers issued 8,113 citations, an increase of 2,241 over the previous fiscal year. Of those, 1,811 were for speeding violations, 443 for seat belt violations and 746 for unsafe vehicle violations. The traffic enforcement efforts had a direct bearing on the reduction in major traffic collisions; the district reported nine during Fiscal Year 2007–2008 compared with 18 in Fiscal Year 2006–2007.

Officers participated in many community events, projects and outreach programs. During Fiscal Year 2007–2008, the Community Police Officer, along with several South Kohala officers, conducted the Keiki id program, which is a favorite of the preschools and elementary schools in the South Kohala District. South Kohala officers also helped the Community Police Officer to recognize young participants in the dare program at Kanu ‘o Ka ‘Aina Charter School.

The South Kohala District covers the area between the North Kohala District at Kiowa and the Kona District at Kaua‘i Point. Its police station is located at 67-5185 Kamāmalu Street in Waimea.

Kona District

Commanders: July 2007—Capt. Randy Apele/ June 2008—Capt. Chad Basque

Area: 834 square miles/Authorized sworn positions: 78

Both captains who commanded the Kona district this fiscal year had histories as leaders of community policing sections. Under their leadership and using community policing principles, Kona officers met with community members and used tested techniques in solving numerous problems.

Burglary was a key crime that police focused on with excellent results. The district recorded 188 reported residential and commercial burglaries, a decrease from the 332 reported the previous fiscal year. Crime reduction units—working closely with the Criminal Investigations Division and collaborating with the community—resulted in a second year of reduced burglaries. The quick response of police, along with information sharing in the community, has substantially reduced the frequency of these property crimes.

Kona Patrol officers continued with both high-profile and covert operations, often teaming with community policing and vice officers to address problem areas in Kailua-Kona, specialized traffic enforcement and a

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myriad of other crimes.

Focusing on reducing traffic fatalities, Kona patrol officers continued to focus on violations that contribute to highway deaths. Officers initiated 524 dui stops and arrests. This is down slightly from the previous year’s 660, but still averages 44 a month. Patrol officers also issued 2,358 speeding citations compared with 1,790 from the previous fiscal year. They also issued 1,176 seat belt and 130 child restraint citations. That compares with 1,223 and 93, respectively. During this fiscal year, patrol has added “unsafe vehicles” as another key category. Officers issued 1,261 citations for this group of violations.

The Kona district occupies the area between the South Kohala District at Waikoloa and the Ka’u District at Kaulanamauna. Its main police station is in Kealakehe at 74-5221 Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway.

Ka’u District

Commanders: July 2007—Capt. James O’Connor/June 2007—Capt. Andrew Burian

Area: 700 square miles/authorized sworn positions: 18

Police officers from the Ka‘u District were responsible for investigating more than 1,300 incidents in Fiscal Year 2007–2008. The District of Ka‘u experienced a decrease in reported burglaries from 70 in Fiscal Year 2006–2007 to 50 in Fiscal Year 2007–2008. Our Community Police Officer continues to work with both the Discovery Harbor and Hawaiian Ocean View Estates Neighborhood Watch organizations in an effort to control crime in those areas.

With respect to traffic enforcement and traffic accidents, Ka‘u Patrol officers issued 3,013 citations, an increase of 874 over the previous fiscal year. Of those, 651 were for speeding violations, 180 for seat belt violations and 376 for unsafe vehicle violations. The district reported 107 major traffic accidents in Fiscal Year 2007–2008 compared with 114 in Fiscal Year 2006–2007.

The most significant events occurring during this fiscal year were:

4On February 29, 2008, at approximately 11 p.m., a police officer on patrol on Kamaoa Road in Discovery Harbor observed a green Volkswagen Jetta race out from Power Line Road onto Kamaoa Road. When the officer passed Power Line Road, he noticed that a large fire had just started. The officer initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle. As a result of the investigation, three males were arrested for arson.

4In the month of September 2007, a 24-year-old woman was arrested for passing worthless checks at different businesses in the Ka‘u district. Following an extensive investigation, the woman was charged with 15 counts of negotiating a worthless instrument and five counts of theft.

The Community Police Officer in the Ka‘u District has been active in responding to community concerns and has done an outstanding job in working to maintain community satisfaction by working with Neighborhood Watch organizations, conducting dare classes, holding Keiki id events and taking an active role in other community events.

The Ka’u District is bounded by the Kona District at Kaulanamaua and the Puna District at Keauhou Landing. Its police station is located at 95-5353 Māmalahoa Highway in Nā‘ālehu.

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Traffic Enforcement Unit

Commander: Sergeant Christopher Gali

The Traffic Enforcement Unit is charged with investigating traffic crashes involving death or serious injury while conducting traffic enforcement and training related to traffic enforcement and investigation. It is staffed by a sergeant and seven police officers.

In Fiscal Year 2007–2008, the Traffic Enforcement Unit investigated 31 fatal crashes that killed 33 people. All but five of those fatal crashes involved alcohol, drugs or both. Alcohol alone was a factor in nine of the fatal crashes, drugs alone were a factor in five, and a combination of drugs and alcohol was a factor in 12. (The previous fiscal year, the same number of people died in the same number of crashes. That year, all but seven of the crashes involved alcohol, drugs or both).

TEU officers conducted 90 dui sobriety checkpoints, arrested 446 drivers who were under the influence of intoxicants and conducted 76 seat belt checkpoints.

The officers also issued 8,133 moving citations, of which 4,741 were for speeding. They issued 3,019 regulatory citations and made 552 other arrests.

In September of 2007, teu implemented an unmarked police subsidized vehicle program following a successful pilot project. The vehicles are outfitted with led blue lights on the front dash or above the rear-view mirror, in the vehicle’s grille and on the rear deck. The vehicles also are equipped with strobe lights in the front corner markers and taillights of the vehicle. The purpose of the program is to detect high-risk drivers, such as impaired drivers, speeders, reckless drivers and drivers who overtake on the right and in no-passing zones.

In June of 2008, TEU started using the Intoxilyzer 8000, a portable breath-testing device that can be plugged into a vehicle’s cigarette lighter. With this new instrument, officers are able to conduct dui sobriety checkpoints away from district stations in rural areas, where time is of the essence in getting a breath sample.

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Grants

The following grants were funded by state or federal agencies during Fiscal Year 2007–2008:

Click It or Ticket Basketball

To reduce fatalities and injuries to occupants aged 17 and under during motor vehicle collisions. This was accomplished by improving awareness of state laws to increase the seat belt usage rate of youths and teens ages 4-17.

Community Based Traffic Coordinator

To reduce the number of alcohol-related fatalities and injuries, increase public awareness and provide a constant deterrence to impaired driving.

DARE/DOE Grant

To administer the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) curriculum in participating private and public schools.

DATA Grant

To establish a statewide traffic data system and ensure compliance with national standards.

Gang Prevention—East & West Hawai‘i

To have a system where community-based agencies and government organizations work together to address youth gangs and the issues surrounding these groups.

Hawai‘i Community Foundation Grant

To purchase needed equipment for the Hawai‘i Police Department’s crime laboratory and train the criminalists to assist the department in its war against the ice epidemic.

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Hawai‘i Impact

To combat the methamphetamine (“ice”) drug problem in the County of Hawai‘i by conducting various sting operations.

Hawai‘i Narcotics Task Force

To assist with the interdiction of drugs within the County of Hawai‘i via the apprehension/arrest/conviction of individuals smuggling narcotics into/within/out of the County of Hawai‘i.

Marijuana Eradication

To assist in suppressing marijuana cultivation and minimizing product availability in the State of Hawai‘i.

Roadblock Grant

To reduce the number of alcohol related fatalities and injuries, increase public awareness, and provide a constant deterrence against impaired driving.

Seat Belt Enforcement Grant

To reduce fatalities and injuries to front seat occupants and rear seat occupants aged 17 and under by increasing the usage rate of seat belts.

Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SAFE)

To improve the overall performance of the safe program by providing continuity of forensic services for victims of sexual assault in Hawai‘i County and to increase the number of certified safe personnel by 50 percent.

Speed Enforcement Grant

To reduce the number of motor vehicle collisions resulting in injuries and fatalities caused by speeding drivers.

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Statewide Marijuana Eradication

To assist with the interdiction of drugs within the County of Hawai‘i via the apprehension/arrest/conviction of the individual smuggling narcotics into/within the County of Hawai‘i.

Traffic Investigations

To reduce the number of alcohol-related fatalities and injuries, increase public awareness and provide a constant deterrence against drunk driving

Victims Services Coordinator (DVSA)

To hire a victims services coordinator to service the on-going needs of victims of domestic violence/sexual assault while the cases remain under investigation.

Youth Deterrence

To reduce the number of alcohol-related traffic fatalities involving the under-21 driver by apprehending potential under-aged drunk drivers.

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Budget 

The following are the budget figures for fiscal year 2007–2008:

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Personnel Changes

New Hires

Aaron P. A. Abalos, Police Cadet

Ken P. Abellera, Police Radio Dispatcher I

Bronson R. Acdal, Police Officer I

Diane L. Ah Lo, Clerk III

Andrea K. Akau, Account Clerk

Lancelot Ako Jr., School Crossing Guard

Erhard Autrata, Police Officer I

Courtney K. C. Bello, Police Officer I

Jon B. Carvalho, Police Officer I

Sirina M. Castaneda, Clerk III

John H. Caudell III, Police Cadet

Aaron M. Cork, Police Officer I

Shane A. Davis, Police Officer I

Julie A. Depew, Account Clerk

Isaac Fiesta III, Police Officer I

Larry E. Flowers Jr., Police Officer I

Joshua H. Flynn, Police Officer I

Kawehilani Fo, Police Officer I

Chester Jay M. Franco, Police Officer I

Benjamin J. Galluppi, Police Officer I

Jason K. Hamada, Police Officer I

Jean Holmes, Police Radio Dispatcher I

Marlin H. Hopson, Police Officer I

Jennifer G. Kaaihue, Clerk III

Korri K. N. Kaaua, Police Radio Dispatcher I

Alex T. Kapana, Police Officer I

Stephanie E. Kaupu-Ceaser, School Crossing Guard

Harriet M. Kawamoto, Secretary

Charles Y. K. Kimokeo, Custodian/Groundskeeper I

Sanoe U. Kumai, Police Radio Dispatcher I

Daniel M. Kuwabara, Police Officer I

Jess K. Lambert, Police Officer I

Nashly Dawn S. Leslie-Derego, Police Radio Dispatcher I

Matthew D. Lewis, Police Officer I

Aaron L. Loges, Police Officer I

Patricia O. Lopez, Clerk III

Chere Rae L. Lyons, Police Officer I

Mary M. K. Makua, Clerk III

Kimmerlyn K. Mākuakāne-Jarrell, Police Officer I

Joshlynn K. Manuel, School Crossing Guard

Brandon K. Mansur, Police Cadet

Damian P. Maria, Custodian/Groundskeeper I

Sabrina S. Marlin, School Crossing Guard

John F. McCarron, Police Officer I

Donny A. Millet, Police Cadet

Blaine H. J. Morishita, Police Officer I

Brandon E. Murray, Police Officer I

Wyattlane K. Nahale, Police Officer I

Benjamin D. T. Nishimoto, Police Officer I

Eric J. Ontiveros, Police Officer I

Hollind C. Paiva, Custodian/Groundskeeper I

Sean W. Phelan, Police Officer I

Eric S. Reyes, Police Officer I

Joseph A. W. Rocha, Police Officer I

Edelberd S. Santiago, Motor Vehicle Inspector I

Darren M. Savella, Custodian/Groundskeeper I

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Paul A. Schaefle, School Crossing Guard

Thomas J. Scheffel, School Crossing Guard

Marco K. Segobia, Police Officer I

Eric D. Sennett, Custodian/Groundskeeper I

Tyron D. Sharp, Custodian/Groundskeeper I

Keith K. Simeona Jr., Police Officer I

Micah K. M. Stevens, Police Cadet

Charmaine D. Sylva, Police Cadet

Sonya A. Taosaka-Kelii, Clerk III

Steven T. Togashi, Radio Technician I

Kenny A. Valdez, Police Cadet

Joseph R. Villa, Police Officer I

Dorothy P. Waiamau, Police Radio Dispatcher I

Dwight E. Walker III, Police Officer I

Jill T. Yee, Clerk III

Sharon S. Yoon, Police Officer I

Promotions and Reallocations

Chad J. Basque, Captain

Andrew S. Burian, Captain

Cassandra L. Chinen, Police Operations Clerk

Cassie D. K. Fernandez, Police Radio Dispatcher II

Denise F. Fukumitsu, Motor Vehicle Financial Responsibility Clerk

Shawn M. Higashide, Police Radio Dispatcher II

Marshall K. Kanehailua, Major

Athena K. C. Koyanagi, Driver License Clerk I

Keven F. P. Lee, Police Radio Dispatcher II

Carol S. Makida, Personnel Assistant I

Randall A. Medeiros, Captain

Richard A. Miyamoto, Captain

Woodiza M. Prudencio, Police Records Clerk

Kathy Pung, Criminalist III

Henry J. Tavares Jr., Assistant Chief

Larry R. Weber, Major

Retirements

Joan M. Caravalho, Police Operations Clerk

James M. Day Jr., Assistant Chief

Jay N. Enanoria, Major

Mark K. Haggerty, Detective

Earl T. Hatada, Lieutenant

Kahiki M. H. Hodson, Police Officer II

Michael L. K. Hodson, Sergeant

Edwin W. Rapozo Jr., Captain

Dexter W. Veriato, Sergeant

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Reported Offenses

Hawaii County, 1998-2007

Source—Crime Prevention and Justice Assistance Division (2008).  Crime in Hawaii, 2007: A Review of Uniform Crime Reports.  State of Hawaii: Department of the Attorney General.

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Murder Rate, Hawaii County, 1998-2007

Murder - The willful killing of one human being by another.

From 2006 to 2007:

• The rate of reported murders increased 26.1% (5 murders were reported in 2007, versus 4 reported in 2006).

Comparing 2007 to 1998:

• The murder rate increased 38.1%

In 2007, of the 5 murders reported:

• Firearms were involved in 60.0% (3).
• Other or unknown instrument was involved in 20.0% (1).
• Knives or cutting instruments were involved in 20.0% (1).

Hawaii County's murder rate in 2007 was the highest in the State of Hawaii.

Source—Crime Prevention and Justice Assistance Division (2008).  Crime in Hawaii, 2007: A Review of Uniform Crime Reports.  State of Hawaii: Department of the Attorney General.

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 Forcible Rape Rate, Hawaii County, 1998-2007

Forcible Rape - The carnal knowledge of a female forcibly and against her will. Assaults or attempts to commit rape by force or threat of force are included.

From 2006 to 2007:

• Reported forcible rapes increased 17.1% in rate.

Comparing 2007 to 1998:

• The forcible rape rate increased 40.4%.

Source—Crime Prevention and Justice Assistance Division (2008).  Crime in Hawaii, 2007: A Review of Uniform Crime Reports.  State of Hawaii: Department of the Attorney General.

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Robbery Rate, Hawaii County, 1998-2007

Robbery - The taking or attempting to take anything of value from the care, custody, or control of a person or persons by force or threat of force or violence and/or by putting the victim in fear.

From 2006 to 2007:

• Reported robberies increased 14.6% in rate.

Comparing 2007 to 1998:

• The robbery rate increased 14.4%.

In 2007, of the 102 robberies reported:

• Strongarm (hands, fists, feet, etc.) robbery accounted for 85.3% (87).
• Firearms were involved in 6.9% (7).
• Knives or cutting instruments were involved in 3.9% (4).
• Other dangerous weapons were involved in 3.9% (4).

Source—Crime Prevention and Justice Assistance Division (2008).  Crime in Hawaii, 2007: A Review of Uniform Crime Reports.  State of Hawaii: Department of the Attorney General. 

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 Aggravated Assault Rate, Hawaii County, 1998-2007

Aggravated Assault - The unlawful attack or attempted attack by one person upon another for the purpose of inflicting severe or aggravated bodily injury. This type of assault is usually accompanied by the use of a weapon or by means likely to produce death or great bodily harm.

From 2006 to 2007:

• Reported aggravated assaults decreased 4.7% in rate

Comparing 2007 to 1998:

• The aggravated assault rate increased 62.6%.

In 2007, of the 266 reported aggravated assaults:

• Strongarm (hands, fists, feet, etc.) accounted for 39.5% (105).
• Other dangerous weapons were involved in 26.7% (71).
• Knives or other cutting instruments were involved in 23.7% (63).
• Firearms were involved in 10.2% (27).

Hawaii County's aggravated assault rate in 2007 was the lowest in the State of Hawaii.

Source—Crime Prevention and Justice Assistance Division (2008).  Crime in Hawaii, 2007: A Review of Uniform Crime Reports.  State of Hawaii: Department of the Attorney General.

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Burglary Rate, Hawaii County, 1998-2007

From 2006 to 2007:

• Reported burglaries decreased 4.2% in rate.

Comparing 2007 to 1998:

• The burglary rate decreased 31.9%.

In 2007, of the 1,381 burglaries and attempted burglaries reported:

• Burglary accounted for 95.7% (1,321).
• Attempted burglary accounted for 4.3% (60).

In 2007, of the 1,381 burglaries that were reported:

• Structures entered by force accounted for 63.1% (834).
• Structures entered without force accounted for 36.9% (487).

Source—Crime Prevention and Justice Assistance Division (2008).  Crime in Hawaii, 2007: A Review of Uniform Crime Reports.  State of Hawaii: Department of the Attorney General.

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Larceny-Theft Rate, Hawaii County, 1998-2007

Larceny-Theft - The unlawful taking, carrying, leading, or riding away of property from the possession or constructive possession of another.

From 2006 to 2007:

• Reported larceny-theft rate decreased 7.9% in rate

Comparing 2007 to 1998:

• The larceny-theft rate decreased 26.8%.

Hawaii County's larceny-theft rate in 2007 was the lowest in the State of Hawaii.

Source—Crime Prevention and Justice Assistance Division (2008).  Crime in Hawaii, 2007: A Review of Uniform Crime Reports.  State of Hawaii: Department of the Attorney General. 

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Motor Vehicle Theft Rate, Hawaii County, 1998-2007

Motor Vehicle Theft - The theft or attempted theft of a motor vehicle.

From 2006 to 2007:

• Reported motor vehicle thefts decreased 11.8% in rate.

Comparing 2007 to 1998:

• The motor vehicle theft rate increased 20.7%.

In 2007, of the 542 motor vehicle thefts reported:

• Autos accounted for 39.1% (212).
• Other vehicles accounted for 34.3% (186). Included in this category are motorcycles, mopeds and golf carts.
• Trucks and buses accounted for 26.6% (144). Included in this category are pickup trucks and vans.

Source—Crime Prevention and Justice Assistance Division (2008).  Crime in Hawaii, 2007: A Review of Uniform Crime Reports.  State of Hawaii: Department of the Attorney General. 

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Arson Rate, Hawaii County, 1998-2007

Arson - The willful or malicious burning or attempt to burn, with or without intent to defraud, a dwelling, house, public building, motor vehicle or aircraft, personal property of another, etc.

From 2006 to 2007:

• Reported arsoms imcreased 56.2% in rate. There were 79 arsons reported in 2007, compared to 50 in 2006.

Comparing 2007 to 1998:

• The arson rate increased 37.8%.

Hawaii County's larceny-theft rate in 2007 was the highest in the State of Hawaii.

Source—Crime Prevention and Justice Assistance Division (2008).  Crime in Hawaii, 2007: A Review of Uniform Crime Reports.  State of Hawaii: Department of the Attorney General.A Crime Stoppers tip led to the arrest of a 48-year-old man in Waianae, Oahu. He was charged with attempted murder for an incident on November 25, 2007, in Fern Forest, Puna. In that case, a male victim was hospitalized after being woken overnight by a man who entered the victim’s Fern Forest