Annual Report

Fiscal Year 2008-2009

  

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
Special Response Team
6
Bicycle Patrol
7
Community Policing
8
Organization Chart
10
Photos of Police Administration
11
Internal Affairs/CIU
12
Administrative Bureau
13
Operations Bureaus
16
Criminal Investigations Divisions
17
Area I Patrol Districts
24
Area II Patrol Districts
29
Traffic Enforcement Unit
32
Grants
33
Budget
37
Personnel Changes
38
Statistical Tables & Charts
40

   


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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


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Police Department

2008-2009 Annual Report

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Harry S. Kubojiri
Police Chief
Hawai‘i Police Department


Hawai‘i County Police Commission
County of Hawai‘i
Aupuni Center
101 Pauahi Street, Suite 9
Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720

Dear Commissioners:

I am pleased to submit the Hawai‘i Police Department’s Annual Report for fiscal year 2008–2009. During this fiscal year, we continued to make improvements to help provide the best possible service to our residents. As in recent years, we continued with ongoing state-of-the-art training for our officers and civilian employees.

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

This fiscal year, we looked for new ways to reach out to the community. Toward that goal, we began to hold monthly public meetings throughout the island. The meetings allow the public to meet the Police Department’s command staff and to discuss concerns with me, the deputy chief and the commanders who oversee police operations at the local level.

In June 2008, we conducted a Community Satisfaction Survey. Its purpose was to learn how the Police Department is perceived by the public so we can identify the areas that need improvement.

Another step toward improving our rapport with the community is through our new Bicycle Patrol. Although this project is still in its infancy, residents have voiced enthusiastic support for our officers as they ride through the community on bicycles.

We remain committed to enhancing our partnership with the public 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.

Sincerely,

Harry S. Kubojiri
Police Chief


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Hawai‘i County
Police Commission

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Thomas P. Whittemore
Chair
Hawai‘i County Police Commission

Dear Mayor Kenoi:

In late 2008, the Hawai‘i County Police Commission was honored with the task of selecting a new police chief to replace Chief Lawrence K. Mahuna, who would retire at the end of the year after nearly 36 years of service.

After reviewing the applicants for his replacement, we interviewed two finalists. On December 3, 2008, the Police Commission voted unanimously to select Deputy Chief Harry S. Kubojiri as the new chief.

On December 30, the commission confirmed Paul Ferreira as Kubojiri’s choice for deputy chief. Chief Kubojiri and Deputy Chief Ferreira took their oaths of office on January 5, 2009, during a ceremony at the Public Safety Building in Hilo.

We look forward to our continued work with the new chief and deputy and offer our best wishes to the outgoing chief.

Also this fiscal year, the Police Commission held our regular monthly meetings with a rotating schedule that took us to Hilo, Waimea and Kona. Throughout the year, commission members attended recruit recognition ceremonies for new police officers, observed commanders meetings, participated in Police Week, took part in various island-wide community meetings and flew to off-island annual conferences.

I know I speak for my fellow commissioners when I say it is a pleasure to serve the people of Hawai‘i County as a member of the Police Commission.

Sincerely,

Thomas P. Whittemore
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 2008 – 2009 fiscal year:Donn Mende, Richard Behenna, Carol Ignacio, Michael Sumja, Secretary Josie Pelayo, Louis Kaoiwi, Anita Politano Steckel, Thomas Whittemore, Melvin Morimoto    Image

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:

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


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Special Response Team (SRT)

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

The mission of the Special Response Team is to support the Hawai‘i Police Department and any other requesting law enforcement agency with a response to critical incidents.

Critical incidents are hostage situations, barricade situations, sniper situations, high-risk warrant service and special assignments. The team also provides security for visiting dignitaries.

The Special Response Team consists of specially selected officers who train extensively throughout the year ensuring operational readiness. The SRT includes a crisis negotiation team that receives special training to develop communication skills that are necessary for defusing volatile situations.

The SRT’s incident commander, tactical team, crisis negotiation team and support personnel conduct monthly scenario training at different locations throughout the Big Island.

From July 2008 through June 2009, the Special Response Team responded to two barricaded situations, served one high-risk warrant and conducted four security details and one special assignment. The Special Response Team is also tasked with managing the department’s taser program and participation in community outreach programs.

From its inception to 2008, the SRT responded to 78 incidents, resulting in a peaceful resolution every time.

SRT’s day-to-day operations fall under the Administrative Services Division. When the team is mobilized, its operations fall under the command of the assistant chief of Area I Operations.


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Bicycle Patrol

Community Police Officers Jesse Kerr and Todd Pataray set off for bicycle patrol.

Officers from the Hawai’i Police Department began making bicycle patrols in East Hawai‘i at the beginning of April 2009.

The bike patrols in Puna and Hilo Police began with funding from the Pāhoa Weed and Seed project, which aims to “weed out” crime and “seed in” community development.

Officers on refurbished old bicycles saw immediate positive results in the areas of liquor enforcement, drug enforcement and community satisfaction, said Lieutenant Jason Cortez, supervisor of the department’s Community Policing Section. “Feedback from the community has been great,” Cortez said. “The officers were actually cheered when they rode through downtown Hilo.”

In June 2009, the Bicycle Patrol received a financial boost—a $25,000 grant from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. The grant money went toward providing training for Bicycle Patrol officers in the areas of cultural awareness, crisis intervention, homelessness and mental illness. It also funded bicycle safety training and the purchase and maintenance of equipment and special uniforms.

At the end of the fiscal year, the Police Department was working toward expanding the Bicycle Patrol into West Hawai‘i.


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Community Policing

Commanders: Area I, Lieutenant Albert Jason Cortez/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, arrest 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 2008–2009, 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, mental health issues, crime, homeland security, lack of youth activities and numerous other issues.

During Fiscal Year 2008–2009, Community Police Officers partnered with the following groups, resulting in the following outcomes:

Groups                                           Outcomes                                        
Queen Lili‘uokalani Children’s Center, Hāmākua Drug Free Committee, Laupāhoehoe Train Museum, Mayor’s Office Drug Free Bash activities for 6th-8th graders from Kalaniana‘ole, Pa‘auilo, Laupāhoehoe & Honoka‘a
  
Sixteen Department of Education elementary and intermediate schools DARE classes provided by SROs to about 2,900 students in grades 5-8
  
Pāhoa Weed and Seed, Puna Action Team, Neighborhood Place of Puna, QLCC, Prosecutor’s Office
Continued participation with the Weed and Seed project by stepped-up police enforcement and joining with various neighborhood groups in activities such as Springtime Jam, booster seat giveaway and a wrestling clinic/drug presentation for 100+ kids.
    
Department of Parks and Recreation, Pony Baseball
Memorial Day baseball tournament, State Baseball Tournament
  
Department of Parks and Recreation, Keaukaha Athletic Association Spring Basketball Tournament, Click It Or Ticket 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament in Kea‘au, Halloween Havoc 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament in Keaukaha, Fall Intermediate Basketball League, Winter Basketball Classic

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Groups                                            Outcomes                                        
Department of Parks and Recreation, New Hope Hāmākua, Kalaniana‘ole School    HI-PAL Open Gym Night at Pāpa‘ikou with various youth activities.
  
Downtown Improvement Association, Planning Department, Friends of Downtown Hilo. Continued work with “Envision Downtown Hilo 2025”
  
Boy Scouts of America-Aloha Council Safety and fingerprinting merit badges, training of more than 100 scouts.

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 officer, 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 that provides 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 Pāhoa surveillance cameras. For the Fiscal Year 2008 – 2009, police efforts in and around the site have resulted in 350 arrests for various offenses, including 15 liquor violations, 38 drug violations, and 42 violent crimes.

 Our Community Police Officers regularly attend Neighborhood Watch and community association meetings to provide crime prevention presentations. Other notable Community Policing/hi-pal activities include:


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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
  
Area I Operations Bureau
Criminal Investigations Div.
           Criminal Investigations Sec.
Vice Section
Juvenile Aid Section
Crime Lab
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.
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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Commanders

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Paul Ferreira
Deputy Police Chief
 
Image             Image            Image
Marshall Kanehailua
Assistant Chief
Administration
Derek Pacheco
Assistant Chief
Area I Operations
Henry Tavares
Assistant Chief
Area II Operations
   
           Image            Image            Image
Paul Kealoha
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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Internal Affairs/CIU

Commander: Capt. James O’Connor

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

Internal Affairs (IA)

Internal Affairs Mission Statement

The mission of Internal Affairs is to protect and serve the public, the employee and the department through fair, thorough and proactive investigations of alleged misconduct while preserving the spirit of aloha.

During the Fiscal Year 2008–2009, the Internal Affairs Unit conducted 54 administrative investigations and 81 internal inquiries into actions by police department personnel. The detectives also provided 38 in-service training sessions to employees.

Internal Affairs also conducted 51 Quality Control and Compliance Inspections (QCCI) of various elements of the department to prevent the abuse, misuse, fraud, and waste of department resources. The goal of the QCCI is to provide a safe working environment, maintain a degree of government and public trust, and prevent a financial or libelous predicament while creating an attitude of pride and discipline.

Criminal Intelligence Unit (CIU)

In Fiscal Year 2008–2009, the Criminal Intelligence Unit provided intelligence information, which in whole or part led to initiating 55 criminal investigations. The unit also submitted 372 intelligence reports during this period.

The unit conducted 485 criminal history investigations for prospective department employees, other designated employees, and prospective employees of other county, state and federal law enforcement agencies.

The unit is a member of the Law Enforcement Intelligence Unit (LEIU)—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.

Officers from the Criminal Intelligence Unit also conducted surveillance and provided intelligence that aided criminal investigation detectives in successfully completing numerous felony investigations.


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Administrative Bureau

Commanders: June 2008—Assist. Chief Paul Ferreira/July 2009—Assist. Chief Marshall Kanehailua

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

Administrative Services Division

Commanders: July 2008—Maj. Marshall Kanehailua /June 2009—Maj. Paul Kealoha

The Administrative Services Division includes the Finance Section, Word Processing Section, Public Relations Section, Human Resources Section and Training Section.

 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. After completion and approval, the reports routed via the Records Management System, become the official documents that detail the Department’s criminal investigations.

Throughout the 2008–2009 Fiscal Year, the Word Processing Center worked long hours in an attempt to keep up with the high workload. The Word Processing Center is composed of one clerical services supervisor, one assistant clerical supervisor, and 13 clerk III staff members. Their responsibilities include the processing, transcribing and routing by the Records Management System all police narrative dictations for timely prosecution. More than 30,600 reports were transcribed, totaling about 309,600 minutes of 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.

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.

Throughout Fiscal Year 2008–2009, the Department’s Human Resources Section, in cooperation with the Hawai‘i County Department of Human Resources, continued an aggressive Police Officer Recruitment campaign. The campaign initially involved a continuous open recruitment supported by media advertisements, participation by officers in career fairs, school appearances and magazine advertisements. In October 2008, the final police entrance examination was administered to close the open enrollment campaign. The department filled all of its vacant, sworn positions on June 16, 2009.


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The Training Section conducted training for two recruit classes (the 75th and the 76th) consisting of a combined total of 29 officers.

The department continued its Police Cadet Program. In partnership with Hawai‘i Community College and the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, the Department provided one qualified cadet with tuition reimbursement through the Police Cadet Tuition Reimbursement Program. The Department began its 2nd Cadet Class on February 5, 2009, with 12 cadets. During the fiscal year, eight cadets transitioned to Police Officer I positions.

In Fiscal Year 2008–2009 the Department targeted all its in-house use-of-force instructors for certification or recertification. This included Arrest Control Techniques, Wooden Baton, Electronic Control Device, Firearms Instructors, OC Spray, and ASP Baton.

The Department provided more than 12,080 hours of training to its personnel and increased its training from the previous year by approximately 13 percent.

The department hosted three, one-week training courses on Death and Homicide Investigations, Crime Scene Investigations, and FBI-LEEDA Supervisor and Leadership. A total of 94 sworn personnel attended these training courses.

Technical Services Division

Commander: Major Larry Weber

The Technical Services Division is in charge of the Communications Maintenance Section, Computer Center, Communications Dispatch Section, Records and Identification Section and Traffic Services Section.

By the end of the fiscal year, the Records and Identification Section was using the Records Management System (RMS) to send all cases electronically to the Hawai‘i County Prosecutor’s Office that had previously been sent by hard copy. The cases sent electronically now include those with a “deferred” closure status. Previously, only cases with an “arrested and charged” closure status were sent electronically.

Cases with a “deferred” status indicate 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 Prosecuting Attorney 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 an investigation is completed and forwarded to the prosecutor’s office for review, it is officially considered “deferred.”
Now, when an officer defers a case, the entire investigation reaches the prosecutor’s office electronically on the same day or the next day. This has been a giant step for the Records and Identification Section and the Hawai‘i Police Department.

From July 1, 2008, through June 30, 2009, 1,234 cases were sent to prosecutors electronically.

The Communications Dispatch Center continued to work with wireless service providers to enhance the Wireless Enhanced 911 system deployed in April 2007. During Fiscal Year 2008–2009, the Police Department


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worked with those service providers to deploy 43 new towers and 132 new sectors. Continued maintenance of the data and cellular sites was conducted through audits of the data provided by the various wireless service providers. This process includes updating the geographic information system (GIS) map layers and verifying the data that is displayed during a live 911 call, which helps the dispatchers determine the location of callers so they can send assistance to them. Nine new layers were added to the existing Positron mapping system and all of the previous layers were updated.
In February 2009, the Hawai‘i Police Department deployed an aerial mapping system called Pictometry. Pictometry imaging allows the dispatchers to provide information to the first responders such as the terrain, number of homes, heights of buildings. Pictometry imaging also allows the dispatcher to have 360 degree visual image of specific areas of the island. While this data was purchased for use within the Communications Dispatch Center, this data can be shared with other sections of the department as well as within the county.

During the 2008–2009 Fiscal Year, the Dispatch Center received 118,301 emergency 911 calls, with only 16 percent of those being transferred to the Fire Department. Requests for police service are made using the 911 emergency call system, the police non-emergency telephone line and incidents that are reported directly to police officers or at the police station. All requests are recorded, logged, assigned and documented by Communications Dispatch personnel using the Computer Aided Dispatch system. There were 180,583 events that documented such requests.

The department successfully completed two police radio dispatcher recruit classes to increase staffing. On-the-job training for the class that started in May 2008 was completed and another police radio dispatcher class started in January 2009. At the end of the fiscal year, the Police Department was in the process of planning for a new police radio dispatcher class that was to begin in August 2009.

The Communications Dispatch Center also processed 317 requests for 911 tapes, an increase of 16.1 percent from the 2007–2008 Fiscal Year.

The Police Department received $393,870 in federal grant funds, which the Traffic Services Section oversees, for traffic enforcement and equipment purchases to improve traffic safety. Police continued efforts to make Big Island roadways safer by using the grant funds to pay for overtime for checkpoints and other enforcement projects aimed at reducing 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.

Other Traffic Services Section highlights include:

As of July 1, 2008, Driver Licensing and Periodic Motor Vehicle Inspection operations were transferred from the Police Department to the County Finance Department’s Vehicle Registration and Licensing Division.


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Operations Bureaus

Area I—East Hawai‘i

Commanders: Asst. Chief Derek Pacheco/Maj. Samuel Thomas

The Area I Operations Bureau includes investigative and patrol operations in East Hawai‘i. Its districts include Hāmākua, North Hilo, South Hilo and Puna — an area encompassing 1,685 square miles. A captain heads each of the four patrol districts.

Area II—West Hawai‘i

Commanders: 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: 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. 


Criminal Investigations Sections (CIS)

Commanders: Area I, Lt. Mitchell Kanehailua / Area II, Lt. Darren Horio

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 2008–2009, the Area I Criminal Investigations Section investigated 2,246 crimes. Of those, 799 were burglaries, 544 were thefts and 431 were financial crimes. In comparison with the previous fiscal year, this represents a 6 percent increase in the number of burglaries investigated, an 8 percent increase in thefts and a 2 percent decrease in financial crimes. The overall solution rate for Area I cis this fiscal year was 50 percent. 

Area I cis detectives investigated one attempted murder, two manslaughter, and four murder cases. Detectives solved all but one of the cases by the end of the fiscal year. The remaining case occurred on June 30, 2009, and was still under investigation.

One of the cases involved the October 2008 fatal shooting of a 33-year-old man in Hilo. The investigation revealed that the victim and the 31-year-old suspect got into an altercation at Puhi Bay, where the suspect shot the victim in the chest with a shotgun. The men, who are related through marriage, had an ongoing feud with each other. The shooter pleaded guilty to manslaughter and two weapons offenses.

A case reported in July 2008 as a missing person tragically turned into a homicide when detectives served a search warrant at an Orchidland Estates property to locate a possible burial site. Detectives unearthed the remains of a human body from a shallow grave behind a house on the property. The remains were positively identified as the missing woman, who was 33 at the time of her disappearance nearly eight months earlier. The case was referred to the Prosecutor’s office.

In December, a visitor to MacKenzie State Park in Puna observed the body of a young man at the bottom of a cliff. Responding detectives observed multiple gunshot wounds about the body. They also quickly determined that the shooting occurred elsewhere and not at the park. Fingerprint identification of the victim led the detectives to a home in Leilani Estates. Police obtained a search warrant and found that the shooting had occurred in that house. During attempts to notify the victim’s father, detectives learned that he had been involved in a traffic accident in the Kona District


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and was on the island of Oahu in critical condition. Forensics testing developed the victim’s father as the suspect. He was arrested and charged and subsequently convicted of manslaughter.

Detective BJ Duarte and Detective John Rodrigues were honored as the East Hawai‘i Exchange Club’s “Officer of the Month” for the months of April and May, respectively. Detective Duarte was recognized for his investigation of the robbery of a tourist at Rainbow Falls. Detective Rodrigues was honored for his work in identifying and dismantling several burglary rings operating out of the Hilo and Puna Districts.

During Fiscal Year 2008 –2009, the Area II Criminal Investigations Section investigated 871 crimes: 291 burglaries, 209 thefts, 116 financial crimes and 255 other miscellaneous crimes. This represented a 13 percent increase in the number of burglaries investigated over the previous fiscal year, a 51 percent decrease in thefts and a 56 percent increase in financial crimes. The overall solution rate for Area II cis this fiscal year was 61 percent. 

Area II cis detectives investigated one attempted murder and two murder cases. They were all solved by the end of the fiscal year.

One of them involved the death of a woman from South Kona. On August 12, 2008, the 57-year-old woman died after being stabbed by her brother-in-law at their home in Ka‘ohe. The two were arguing in their kitchen when the 60-year-old man stabbed the woman in the shoulder with a pocket knife, causing her to bleed internally. He was arrested at the scene without incident and charged with her murder. Another woman—the suspect’s wife and the victim’s sister—sustained minor injuries while trying to protect her sister. She was treated and released at Kona Community Hospital.

On September 7, 2008, an 85-year-old man was found dead at his home on Ali‘i Drive in North Kona. He was lying in bed on his back with a single stab wound to his upper torso. As a result of an investigative autopsy and other forensic investigative tools, the incident was determined to be a suicide.

On May 6, 2009, Ka‘ū patrol officers responded to a shooting at a house in the Hawaiian Ocean View Estates Subdivision. Officers discovered a 44-year-old man dead nearby on the roadway with a shotgun wound to his back. A 47-year-old man at the house was arrested and the firearm was recovered at the scene. The 47-year-old resident had discovered an intruder on his property attempting to break into his greenhouse where the resident was cultivating medical marijuana plants. At least two shots were fired, one fatally injuring the trespasser. An autopsy verified that the victim died from the gunshot wound and the shooter was charged with murder. A jury convicted the shooter of manslaughter.


Juvenile Aid Sections (JAS)

Commanders: Area I, Lt. Ronald Paul /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.


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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 throughout the island.

A Victim Services Coordinator 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, the coordinator serves as a liaison for the department with social service agencies and victims of family and sexual violence.

JAS is divided into three specialized units: the Sex Crimes Unit (specializing in sexual assault investigations), the Domestic Violence Unit (specializing in domestic abuse cases) and the General Detail Unit, which covers all other crimes related to juveniles. The Area I Juvenile Aid Section also has two detectives who have been trained to recover digital evidence from computers, mobile devices, cell phones and other electronic storage media.

In August 2008, Area I JAS detectives conducted an investigation in which a 35-year-old male British citizen was arrested at the Hilo airport for first-degree promotion of child abuse. Subsequent investigations led to an indictment of the suspect in federal court for one count of transportation of child pornography. Subsequent examination by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers of his computer and external hard drive found numerous videos of child pornography. At the end of the fiscal year, the case was pending in federal court.

Katie, a yellow Labrador retriever, is a “scent-discriminating” tracking canine assigned to JAS Area I. Canines for Kids donated Katie to the Police Department in 2006 and the Missing Children Center of Hawai‘i and the Children’s Justice Centers of Hawai‘i provided additional funding. Katie’s primary duties are to assist in locating missing children and Alzheimer’s patients, although she may be called upon to trail criminal suspects. Tucker, the Department’s first missing persons canine, was retired because of health problems.

During the 2008–2009 fiscal year, JAS Area I detectives investigated 511 cases, including sex assaults, domestic violence and related cases, child pornography and other juvenile-related crimes, such as burglaries, robberies and status offenses.

The Area II Juvenile Aid Section investigated 105 sexual assault cases and cleared 96. (Four were suspended and five were ongoing.) During the same period, police investigated 40 cases involving child abuse or abuse of family/household member. Of those, they cleared 38 cases. (One was suspended and one ongoing.)

On July 8, 2008, a female child reported that a male neighbor sexually assaulted her repeatedly over a period of time. As a result of this disclosure, Juvenile Aid detectives identified four additional child victims and interviewed them. The man was arrested for numerous offenses. He pleaded guilty and was awaiting sentencing as the fiscal year ended.

On May 7, 2008, a female child reported being molested by an adult male relative over a six-month period. The man was arrested for continuous sexual assault of a minor. After detectives completed the investigation, they forwarded it to the Prosecutor’s office.

Sometime between May 22, 2009, and May 25, 2009, unknown persons broke into the Konawaena High School locker


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room and removed $7,560 worth of football jerseys. Investigation identified two juvenile suspects who were eventually arrested. The stolen property was recovered and returned to the school. At the end of the fiscal year, the Prosecutor’s office was reviewing the case.


Vice Sections

Commanders: Area I, Lt. Richard Sherlock /Area II, Lt. Miles Chong

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. 

In November 2008, Hawai‘i County voters passed a bill for an ordinance making the adult personal use of marijuana the lowest law enforcement priority of the Hawai‘i Police Department. While the department awaits a decision from the State Attorney General’s Office on the legality of the ordinance, the bill itself contains wording that prohibits the Hawai‘i County Council from accepting any federal funding for marijuana eradication.

The new ordinance impinged on the Police Department’s marijuana enforcement detail in two ways. First, federal grants have long funded the Police Department’s counter cannabis field operations to eradicate marijuana. Second, the funding formerly used to investigate commercial marijuana cultivation and distribution was tied into those same federal grants, thus limiting the Vice Section’s resources and tools to effectively target commercial cultivation and distribution. As a result, 65 percent fewer marijuana plants were eradicated than in the previous fiscal year. Also, 74 percent fewer arrests were made for commercial cultivation and distribution of marijuana in Hawai‘i County. The Hawai‘i Police Department will continue to research and develop new ways to solve the problem of commercial cultivation and distribution of marijuana in the County of Hawai‘i.

Crystal Methamphetamine—or “ice”—continues to be the greatest threat to the community and continues to be the focus of the Hawai‘i Police Department Ice Task Force, as well as the entire Area I and Area II Vice Sections. Arrests for methamphetamine trafficking have increased as ice is continually being imported into the community from Honolulu and the West Coast by way of body carriers and parcel services.

 Vice officers belong to the statewide Hawai‘i 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, Immigration Customs Enforcement, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The Vice Sections also are a part of the Hawai‘i High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force.

The Hawai‘i Police Department’s Vice Sections continually strive to identify, infiltrate, and dismantle drug trafficking organizations in Hawai‘i County from the street to the highest level.


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From April to August 2008, two Hawai‘i Police Department Vice officers worked in an undercover capacity with the Kauai Police Department targeting street- to mid-level drug dealers. The investigation, named “Operation Round Up,” was made possible by funding from the Hawai‘i Narcotics Task Force project and led to the arrests of more than 35 individuals for more than 100 charges ranging from outstanding courtroom warrants to methamphetamine trafficking.

 In August 2008, Area I Vice officers received information from the Maui Police Department about a marijuana trafficking organization between Maui and Hilo. This led to the recovery of six pounds of dry marijuana intended to be smuggled by private plane between the two islands. The investigation concluded at a large, sophisticated indoor-growing operation on the Hāmākua coast, leading to three arrests and the recovery of 397 marijuana plants, five pounds of dry processed marijuana, and numerous vehicles and other property.

In September 2008, Hawai‘i Police Department task force officers from the Area I Vice Section working with the Drug Enforcement Administration were able to conduct a controlled delivery of 237 grams of crystal methamphetamine hidden in a water pump to a vacant address in Hilo, where a 37-year-old California man picked up the parcel. The Hawai‘i Airport Task Force had “interdicted” the parcel at the Honolulu FedEx office.

In February 2009, Area I Vice Officers, acting on information received during a Kona Vice arrest, served search warrants on two rental houses in the Volcano area of the Puna District. Vice officers discovered that the two homes were being used as indoor marijuana-growing operations. The warrants led to the recovery of 395 marijuana plants, 10 pounds of dry processed marijuana and a small amount of marijuana hashish. Arrested were three Puna men, aged 23, 26 and 61.

In April 2009, a 36-year-old Kea‘au man was arrested after a two-month investigation into drug trafficking led to the recovery of more than four ounces of “ice” being sold in ounce-size quantities. Police forwarded investigations to the Prosecutor’s office for a 47-year-old Kea‘au man involved in the drug ring. They also seized three vehicles and one custom-built motorcycle for forfeiture.

In April 2009, the Ice Task Force’s six-month investigation into a suspected Mexican drug-trafficking ring ended after a suspect intentionally rammed an on-duty patrol officer  in Hilo while trying to elude Vice officers. The 47-year-old Hilo man was arrested on attempted murder charges. Vice officers recovered two ounces of ice and 13 ounces of powdered cocaine during the investigation. A search of the man’s vehicle revealed another pound of cocaine and $7,900 hidden in the quarter panels. The case was handed over to the U.S. Attorney’s office for prosecution. Also arrested in the investigation were a 39-year-old Mexican citizen and a 55-year-old Hilo woman.

 In May 2009, a four-month investigation into a Kea‘au drug trafficking organization concluded with the arrest of a 60-year-old Kea‘au man, who had recently moved to the island from Honolulu. During the investigation, police served four search warrants, leading to the recovery of a half a pound of ice—most often packaged in small quantities for sale on the street—and quantities of marijuana. As part of the investigation, police seized three vehicles, the suspect’s property and $60,000 in cash for forfeiture.

 In connection with the above investigation,


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police arrested 13 individuals for 46 related property crimes after recovering more than $15,000 in stolen property from a 60-year-old Kea‘au man’s home during one of the search warrants. The Criminal Investigations Section’s investigation revealed that the stolen properties were being bartered for drugs from the house.

In October 2008, an investigation conducted by the Area II Ice Task Force, with the assistance of the Drug Enforcement Administration, led to the arrest of a Kailua-Kona man for meth trafficking shortly after he was observed leaving Kona International Airport. Investigators determined that the 36-year-old airline employee had smuggled a pound of crystal methamphetamine on a commercial airline flight from the mainland. Following his arrest, DEA agents and Hawai‘i police officers executed search warrants at his apartment and on his sports-utility vehicle and also recovered a loaded .38-caliber revolver. He was transported to the federal detention center on Oahu, where he was facing federal prosecution as the fiscal year ended.

In November 2008, Area II Vice officers teamed up with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service for a controlled delivery of a parcel to a Kailua-Kona address. As a result, investigators arrested and charged a 46-year-old man and a 53-year-old woman who accepted the parcel, which contained more than 13 grams of black-tar heroin. A vehicle used by the suspects was seized for forfeiture and the case was sent to the Hawai‘i County Prosecutor’s Office.

In January 2009, the Area II Ice Task Force arrested a 28-year-old Mexican national residing in Kailua-Kona for methamphetamine trafficking. The month-long investigation led to the total recovery of 71.8 grams of crystal methamphetamine. He was taken into custody by agents of the Immigrations and Customs Enforcement for immigration violations.

Another month-long investigation culminated in a joint effort between the Area I and Area II Ice Task Forces that targeted a crystal methamphetamine distributor residing in Laupāhoehoe. This distribution network extended between East and West Hawai‘i. A total of 19 ounces of crystal methamphetamine were recovered and $4,560 was seized for forfeiture throughout the course of the investigation. A 20-year-old woman, originally from California, was arrested and charged with multiple drug offenses.

In September 2008, the Area II Vice Section executed a search warrant on a Pahala home in Ka‘ū after discovering that the owner, an 81-year-old man, had an illegal commercial marijuana-growing operation on his property. Following his arrest, police recovered 506 marijuana plants, approximately two pounds of dried/processed marijuana, three firearms and more than $43,000 in cash.

Acting on complaints from the public, police conducted a surveillance operation of a beach park in Kailua-Kona in February 2009. The operation led to the arrest of four men for gambling and drug offenses. During the operation, officers seized prescription pills, cash and more than 29 grams of dried marijuana. The operation also revealed that one of the men was wanted on a warrant for probation violation in Colorado. In addition, investigators discovered that the game organizer was also distributing marijuana at the beach park and was accepting prescription drugs as a “buy-in” for the card game.


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An indoor marijuana growing operation was dismantled in April 2009 when officers served a search warrant at a Waikoloa home, leading to the arrest of six men and a juvenile female. Officers recovered 335 marijuana plants from a greenhouse, more than four pounds of dried/processed marijuana, “ice” pipes, two rifles and more than $1,650 in cash.

In February 2009, a joint investigation between the Airport Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration led to the seizure of nearly $55,000 in cash that was being smuggled in checked baggage out of the Kona airport. Investigators suspected the cash was drug proceeds belonging to a drug-trafficking organization having ties between Hawai‘i Island and the mainland.

In March 2009, a Waikoloa man was arrested at the Kona airport and later charged with cocaine offenses. Acting on a tip, investigators contacted the 43-year-old after he arrived on a flight from New Mexico. Officers recovered approximately six ounces of powdered cocaine that the man had concealed on his person. The street value of the cocaine was estimated at $9,600.

In June 2009, Vice investigators, in another joint agency operation with the Drug Enforcement Administration, searched a 20-year-old California woman at the Kona airport after she arrived on a domestic flight from California. Investigators discovered more than three pounds of cocaine and approximately 1.5 pounds of crystal methamphetamine concealed in her luggage. The drugs had a combined street value of more than $107,000. The Drug Enforcement Administration took the woman into custody for federal prosecution.


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Area I Patrol Districts

Hāmākua District

Commander: Capt. Randy Apele
Area: 223 square miles/Authorized sworn positions: 18

The Hāmākua district has a population of approximately 6,108 residents and is served by 13 patrol officers, one Community Police Officer, two sergeants and a police operations clerk—all under the command of the district captain. 

A School Resource Officer (SRO) has been assigned to Honoka‘a High and Intermediate School since Calendar Year 2004. The SRO is based at the school with an office on campus for immediate police response. He has relieved patrol officers’ workload by handling school-related crimes and calls for assistance, and he has provided a “uniform presence” for security at the school. 

Hāmākua Police focused on improving preliminary investigations during this past fiscal year. This initiative led to a large increase in burglary and theft clearances. Hāmākua Police cleared 11 of the 24 reported burglaries in the fiscal year for a clearance rate of 46 percent. Of the 101 reported thefts, 61 were cleared for a 60 percent clearance rate.

Burglaries and thefts were also reduced from the previous fiscal year. Burglaries were reduced by 20 percent (from 30 to 24 cases) and thefts were reduced by 12 percent (from 115 to 101 cases). These reductions can be attributed to improved investigations and public education, such as home security checks.

Traffic enforcement was a focal point in the Hāmākua District and resulted in a 46 percent decrease in traffic collisions from 119 the previous fiscal year to 64 this year. The reduction in traffic collisions can be directly related to the intensive enforcement efforts that led to 30 percent increases in total citations issued—from 1,871 to 2,427. Speeding citations increased by 143 percent (from 380 to 925) and seat belt citations increased by 321 percent (from 34 to 143). In addition, speed monitor displays were placed throughout the district to educate motorists about speed limit changes on our roadways. This, combined with selective radar/laser enforcement has increased motorist awareness, helped to slow down drivers and encouraged safer driving practices throughout the district.

The Waipi‘o Education and Information Officer Program, known as the “Waipi‘o Ranger,” was initiated in August 2007 and continues to operate with positive results. Two information officers provide a primary point of contact for visitors and residents at the Waipi‘o Lookout. They call Hāmākua Police for assistance when needed and report any suspicious activity. The presence of the information officers has served to educate visitors about the natural and cultural resources and history of the valley, remind them of protocol and behaviors expected in the valley, conduct surveys and keep statistical information on the number of visitors and vehicles going into the valley, report illegal or suspicious activity and provide a crime deterrence through constant daytime presence.

The Hāmākua District is bordered by the North Hilo District at Ka‘ala Gulch and the South Kohala District at Lakeland. Its police station is located at 45-3400 Mamane Street in Honoka‘a.


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North Hilo

Commander: Capt. Randy Apele
Area: 144 square miles/Authorized sworn positions: 12

Community Police Officers from the North Hilo and the Hāmākua Districts and the Honoka‘a School Resource Officer coordinated four Celebrating Families Drug Free events during the summer of 2008. Events included gatherings in Pepe‘ekeo, Laupāhoehoe Swimming Pool, Pa‘auilo Park and Honoka‘a Park and consisted of games and activities for families, drug-free poster contests and family dinners. Each event attracted between 50 and 100 participants. This was also the first year of a combined school event with Kalaniana‘ole, Laupāhoehoe and Honoka‘a Schools. This middle school Drug Free Bash was held at Laupāhoehoe Point Park in December 2008 for about 300 6th–8th graders who participated in team-building games and activities.

 In Fiscal Year 2008–2009, the North Hilo District saw a 62 percent increase in reported burglaries and cleared three out of 18 reported cases, resulting in a 17 percent burglary clearance rate. Theft cases were up 95 percent. However, the district cleared 49 percent (19 of the 39 reported thefts). The large increase in thefts was due in part to thefts at construction sites. The Community Police Officer conducted increased public education at community meetings to raise awareness about theft prevention. Improved preliminary investigations contributed to the high theft clearance rate.

The North Hilo District experienced a 372 percent decrease in major traffic accidents during the fiscal year. The district had 42 major accidents compared with 156 major traffic accidents during the previous fiscal year. This large decrease was due, in part, to improved road conditions. As a result of a combined effort with North Hilo Community Policing and the State Highways Division, the upper and lower sections of Laupāhoehoe Gulch roadway were textured to provide better traction during inclement weather.

Credit also goes to patrol officers for their marked improvement in speed enforcement. Traffic citations increased by 67 percent, including a 105 percent increase in speeding citations over the previous fiscal year, from 343 to 708. Seat belt citations increased from 19 to 90 citations.

Improvements were made at Laupāhoehoe Point Park to discourage excessive noise and liquor violations and other illegal activity in the area. The cooperation of the Laupāhoehoe Community Police Officer and the Department of Parks and Recreation led to the installation of security lights shining into the pavilions and parking lot area of the Park. This has greatly increased security in the area without disturbing the natural shoreline environment.

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‘ualaea Homestead Road, just west of the 25-mile marker off Old Māmalahoa Highway.


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South Hilo District

Commander: Captain Kenneth Vieira
Area: 635 square miles/Authorized sworn positions: 82

The South Hilo Patrol station doubles as the central police station for the entire Police Department. In the South Hilo District, 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 has been housing pre-arraignment detainees since 2003. The Detention Center has 18 individual cells, one observation cell, one padded cell and two temporary holding cells. Two of the 18 individual cells are equipped to accommodate the disabled.

During Fiscal Year 2008–2009, the Hawai‘i Police Department, in partnership with the State Department of Public Safety, continued to collaborate on a program initiated during Fiscal Year 2008–2009 to reduce the large backlog of outstanding bench warrants and other court documents. The program used South Hilo Patrol personnel and sheriffs from the Department of Public Safety to create a bench warrant service team. This program, along with the efforts of other South Hilo Patrol personnel, contributed to a large number of court documents being served. Police served 4,734 court documents including 1,442 warrants of arrest. These figures are significant, as South Hilo district personnel served 1,238 more court documents during the fiscal year than were received from the courts. In addition to effectively reducing the backlog of unserved court documents, this program broadened the working relationship between the two participating agencies. The bench warrant service team continues to be a tremendous success.

Also during this fiscal year, the number of major traffic accidents in South Hilo decreased by 142 accidents or 20 percent. This decrease follows a 21 percent reduction realized during the previous year. The district’s officers contributed to this decline using focused enforcement of traffic offenses along with aggressive efforts to apprehend drunk drivers. South Hilo Patrol officers issued 15,044 traffic citations—11 percent more than the previous fiscal year. They also arrested 194 drunk drivers, thus contributing to the decline in major traffic accidents and enhanced traffic safety.

The Aggressive Driving enforcement program also played a role in the sharp decline in major traffic accidents. This program—funded through discretionary monies provided by council members J Yoshimoto and Dennis Onishi—targeted specific traffic infractions designated as aggressive driving behavior. The program, which was conducted during April, May and June 2009, involved officers using both marked and unmarked police vehicles to conduct enforcement along the major traffic corridor linking the districts of South Hilo and Puna. Additionally, officers focused enforcement efforts within the city of Hilo and its major traffic corridor. These efforts contributed to a reduction in the number of traffic mishaps on the major thoroughfares in the city of Hilo.

The communities in the South Hilo District experienced a minor increase in the number of thefts and related crimes. Reported thefts increased by 1 percent, while reported


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burglaries increased by 6 percent. However, the Police Department cleared 51 percent of all theft cases in the South Hilo District. That success was attributed, in part, to a program to improve the overall investigative quality and documentation for the theft and burglary cases South Hilo personnel conducted. 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 South Hilo Patrol are committed to the department’s core values and mission and vision statements. Their dedication during routine investigations often culminates in the apprehension of responsible individuals and the prevention of future crimes, as the four examples below illustrate.

  • In January 2009, a South Hilo patrol officer responded to a report of an alarm at a business establishment. Through investigation, the officer learned that an individual entered the business, stole items and left the area in a vehicle. Later that evening, the officer responded to an unrelated call for assistance and suspected that the individual involved in the unrelated call was responsible for the break-in at the business. The officer recovered the items stolen from the business and arrested the individual responsible for the break-in.
  • During the evening hours in March 2009, a South Hilo patrol officer observed a vehicle traveling down a road in the wrong direction. The driver exited the vehicle and ran from the officer. The officer ran after the driver, who was apprehended a great distance away from the vehicle. An assisting South Hilo patrol officer learned that the vehicle and its contents were stolen. The driver was arrested and linked to several felony offenses that occurred in a neighboring district.
  • In March 2009, a report of a stolen vehicle was broadcast to South Hilo patrol officers. An officer observed the vehicle traveling toward a neighboring district and arrested the driver within eight minutes of the broadcast.
  • In May 2009, South Hilo patrol officers responded to a report of a robbery. A victim was assaulted and items were stolen. A South Hilo patrol officer located the responsible individual and recovered the victim’s stolen items, providing justice for the victim.

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

Due to the spiraling economy, the Puna District experienced a downturn in the building boom it had experienced over the previous several years.

The economic situation in Fiscal Year 2008–2009 contributed to the increase in burglaries, which saw a 26 percent increase from 423 in 2007–2008 to 544 in 2008–2009. Police solved 19 percent of the reported burglaries.

Many of the burglarized homes were vacation rentals or vacant homes either pending sale or awaiting completion that had appliances removed.


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The district saw dramatic decreases in reported thefts from 1,399 in 2007–2008 to 866 in 2008–2009, a reduction of nearly 30 percent. Auto thefts decreased from 152 to 89, a reduction of 41 percent. Police cleared 32 percent of all thefts reported in Puna during this fiscal period.

With the increase in arrests of impaired drivers and the issuance of citations for speeding and other moving violations, Puna had a decrease in major reported accidents, from 373 in 2007–2008 to 303 in 2008–2009.

Working under the Weed and Seed Project, Community Police Officers continued working closely with the business community, school officials and other community groups to improve Pāhoa Village. They have added bike patrols to Pāhoa Village, Pohoiki, Kapoho, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Kea‘au Village and Volcano Village. The Police Department continues to receive very positive feedback from the community about its bike patrols. Puna police officers and members of other Hawai‘i County agencies continued to monitor the lava flow in Kalapana that began in March 2008 and continues to attract about 1,000 visitors to the site each day.

The fiscal year included the selection of Officer Joseph Passmore as Officer of the Year for 2008 by the East Hawai‘i Aloha Exchange Club on March 12, 2009, at the Hilo Yacht Club. He was recognized for his proactive crime reduction technique—he volunteered to work one of the busier beats in the district that had been experiencing a large increase in burglaries. During the early morning hours of November 2008, he made a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by a suspected burglar. This traffic stop eventually led to the execution of a search warrant, which led to the recovery of drugs and stolen items. This enabled detectives to identify other individuals involved in the burglary/theft ring and to recover other stolen items. Officer Passmore was recognized for his selflessness and dedication to duty that contributed greatly to the Police Department’s mission statement of making Hawai‘i Island a safer place to live.

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

Commander: Capt. Richard Miyamoto
Area: 123 square miles/authorized sworn positions: 15

During this fiscal year, North Kohala again showed a decrease in most statistical crime categories. Burglaries dropped from 39 reported incidents to 23 with a clearance rate of 33 percent. Theft reports decreased from 67 to 42 incidents with a clearance rate of 57 percent. Reported assaults also dropped, from 36 reported incidents to 22.

Even with an increase in the issuance of traffic citations (up from 2,212 to 2,262) and an increase in DUI arrests (up from 19 to 30), North Kohala did see an increase in traffic accidents over the previous fiscal year. Traffic accidents rose from 34 reported major accidents to 53—two of which were fatal. These two negligent homicide investigations were turned over to the Police Department’s Traffic Enforcement Unit for completion and routing to the Prosecutor’s Office for final charging.

The most significant event in Fiscal Year 2008–2009 was a reported robbery that occurred in Hawi Town. As the victim returned home from dining out, an unknown male brandishing a firearm confronted him. The victim was then forced into his home, where a second man was observed searching his apartment. The victim was not injured during this incident but had some money, medication and other items taken.

The vacated community police officer position in North Kohala was filled with the addition of Officer John Kahalioumi, who is a resident of North Kohala. During his short tenure, he has conducted many projects in the community with help from the public, North Kohala officers and other community police officers from around the island. Some of these activities included Keiki id projects, a “Back to School Bash,” an Easter egg hunt, a “Skate Day” parade, and help with organizing a “Project Grad Night” for Kohala High School.

In an effort to keep the community informed and safe, North Kohala Police started contributing news articles to the Kohala Mountain News, which is published monthly. These articles deal with safety tips, introduction of new police officers and some heartwarming stories about the officers in North Kohala.

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.


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South Kohala District

Commander: Capt. James Sanborn
Area: 688 square miles/Authorized sworn positions: 33

Communities in the South Kohala District experienced a decrease in the number of reported burglaries, from 86 in Fiscal Year 2007-2008 to 58 in Fiscal Year 2008–2009. Our continued collaboration with the Area II Criminal Investigations Division resulted in a clearance rate of 59 percent of reported burglaries. This decrease in burglaries also can be attributed to a number of other factors, including efforts by our patrol officers to raise the community’s awareness about home security measures.

The district also realized a decrease in reported theft incidents (318 compared with 371 in Fiscal Year 2007–2008). Our investigative efforts led to an 82 percent clearance rate of all reported thefts.

Sexual assault incidents that were reported on the rise during Fiscal Year 2007–2008 took a decline in Fiscal Year 2008–2009, with 25 cases compared with 37 during the previous year. Although it is difficult to attribute any one factor to the downturn, it may have been efforts on the part of the Area II Juvenile Aid Section and other social agencies servicing the district.

The most significant events occurring during Fiscal Year 2008–2009 were:

  • Grand opening ceremonies of the Queen’s Marketplace Waikoloa Bowl that was highlighted by an Earth, Wind & Fire concert with more than 3,500 people in attendance
  • Three major traffic collisions in the district involving motorcycles and vehicles resulting in the deaths of the motorcycle operators
  • Several brush fires in the vicinity of Kawaihae Road that prompted the need to evacuate nearby residents

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

Commander: Capt. Chad Basque
Area: 834 square miles / Authorized sworn positions: 78

Kona Patrol Officers continue to use community policing strategies and philosophies in their daily tours of duty. This proactive type of policing—together with special enforcement units, warrant sweeps, crime reduction projects and traffic enforcement projects — has again made a positive impact in reducing crime and criminal activity.

One area of positive impact was property crimes. Although burglaries increased slightly from 182 reports in Fiscal Year 2007–2008 to 210 reports in 2008–2009, that figure was still much lower than the 332 reports in Fiscal Year 2006–2007. Other property crimes decreased in Fiscal Year 2008–2009, including thefts (from 1,318 in Fiscal Year 2007–2008 to 1,159 this fiscal year), robberies (from 20 to 17), unauthorized entry of a motor vehicle (from


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339 to 217), shoplifting (from 101 to 80) and unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle (from 188 to 132).
With Kona being one of the larger districts geographically, it also has a majority of the roadways to patrol and enforce. Kona officers emphasize DUI enforcement, as driving under the influence is a key contributor to traffic casualties and highway deaths. Patrol officers made 448 DUI arrests compared with 524 the previous year and issued 2,775 speeding citations compared with 2,358 the previous year. Those efforts—as well as citations for seat belt violations, child restraint violations and unsafe vehicles—led to a decrease in major traffic casualties from 474 the previous year to 298 this year.

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

Commander: Capt. Andrew Burian
Area: 700 square miles/Authorized sworn position: 18

During the 2008–2009 fiscal year, officers in the Ka‘ū District investigated 109 major traffic accidents. That was a slight increase from the 103 accidents investigated in 2007–2008. Along those lines, dui arrests rose slightly and the number of citations issued increased by more than 300 (to 3,327). Much of this enforcement was in an attempt to curb traffic accidents and make our roads safer.

Police officers were responsible for investigating more than 1,423 incidents in the Ka‘ū District. Officers investigated 75 burglaries, up from 45 the previous year. Much of the increase in burglaries could be attributed to a spike in those crimes in the Ocean View area in February and March 2009. In response, officers stepped up patrol efforts, worked with the community to raise awareness of crime prevention methods for protecting their property and worked with both the Neighborhood Watch and the Criminal Investigations Section to combat this uptick in crime. The result was a drastic drop in burglaries in the Ocean View area.

The most significant events occurring during Fiscal Year 2008–2009 were:

  • On August 3, 2008, officers from Ka‘ū Patrol and Area II Vice served a search warrant at a home on Bamboo Lane in Hawaiian Ocean View Estates. This was as a result of observations by Officer John Smith and the search warrant was drafted by Officer Shawn Ibarra. Officers recovered more than 80 marijuana plants and three firearms.
  • On October 8, 2008, Police officers from the Ka‘ū District, the Area II Criminal Investigations Section and the Special Response Team served a search warrant at a home on King Kamehameha Boulevard in the Hawaiian Ocean View Estates subdivision. Officers found what appeared to be an explosive device and immediately evacuated the area. The evacuation affected approximately 10 homes and 20 individuals and lasted into the afternoon. After the Explosive Ordnance Disposal team from the U.S. Army at Schofield Barracks on Oahu responded, police re-entered the home and recovered nine altered training hand grenades, approximately four pounds of black powder, three rifles, ammunition, fireworks and two threaded metal pipes. Three occupants of the house were arrested for a number of offenses related to the illegal possession of these explosives.

Officer Dane Shibuya is the community police officer in the Ka‘ū District and continues to be active in working with the community and Neighborhood Watch organizations. He has done an outstanding job in working to maintain community satisfaction; he regularly conducts Keiki id events, station tours and dare classes for our youths.

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 2008–2009, the Traffic Enforcement Unit investigated 24 fatal crashes that killed 25 people. All but three of those fatal crashes involved alcohol, drugs or both. Alcohol alone was a factor in 10 of the fatal crashes, drugs alone were a factor in five, and a combination of drugs and alcohol was a factor in six. (The previous fiscal year, 29 people died in 27 crashes. That year, all but five of the crashes involved alcohol, drugs or both.) 

Fatal Traffic Crashes
    
Alcohol-related
   10
  
Drug-related
5
  
Drugs and alcohol
6
  
Not impaired
3
  
Total
24

TEU officers conducted 85 DUI sobriety checkpoints, arrested 426 drivers who were under the influence of intoxicants and conducted 117 seat belt checkpoints.

The officers also issued 9,328 moving citations, of which 5,448 were for speeding. They issued 4,401 regulatory citations and made 405 other arrests.

On September 27, 2008, the Traffic Enforcement Unit received the Mothers Against Drunk Driving Hawaii 2008 Law Enforcement Award. The Traffic Enforcement Unit was recognized—along with individual officers from the Honolulu, Maui and Kauai police departments—for their outstanding work in the prevention of impaired driving. The award was presented at the annual Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Hawai‘i Candlelight Vigil of Hope and Remembrance at Kaka‘ako Waterfront Park in Honolulu. 


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Grants

The following grants were funded by state or federal agencies during Fiscal Year

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.

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.

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.

Hawai‘i Impact

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


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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.

OHA Grant

To train and educate HPD patrol officers in the areas of cultural awareness, crisis intervention, homelessness and mental illness.

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 Training

To improve Hawai‘i County’s ability to respond to violent crimes against women—primarily sexual assault—with associated intimate partner violence, physical abuse and homicide with improved medical and forensic examination services.


-page 35-

Speed Enforcement Grant

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

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 Service Coordinator

To hire a Victims Services Coordinator to service the ongoing needs of victims of domestic violence/sexual assault while the cases remain under investigation.

Aggressive Driving

To reduce fatalities and injuries, increase public awareness and provide a constant deterrence against aggressive driving.

Evidence Specialist

To fund two evidence specialist positions who will be trained in the latest techniques of crime scene investigations.


-page 36-

SAFE Standby

To improve Hawai‘i County’s response to violent sex crimes, physical abuse and crimes of violence against women.

Specialized Detectives Standby Pay

To improve Hawai‘i County’s ability to respond to violent crimes against women through funding the standby detectives investigating these crimes.


-page 37-

Budget

The following are the budget figures for Fiscal Year 2008–2009:

Personnel Services

Personnel Services
Salaries and wages, straight time   
  30,237,316 
  
Salaries and wages, other
5,498,978
  
Other current expenses
  
Contractual services
7,083,518
  
Materials and supplies
2,160,740
  
Other charges
242,999
  
Equipment
183,490
  
Miscellaneous accounts
1,985,523
  
Grants funded
1,830,402

  
Total
$ 49,222,966


-page 38-

Personnel

New Hires

Aaron P. A. Abalos, Police Officer I
Walter Akimo, School Crossing Guard
Kelvin L. Andrade, Police Officer I
Michael A. Arquette, Police Cadet
John E. Balberde, Police Officer I
Dieter H. Blattler, Clerk III
Steven J. Burkey, Police Officer I
Jared S. H. Cabatu, Police Officer I
Josiah S. Coe, Police Cadet
James J. D’Avella, Police Officer I
Kaeo J. Drummondo, Police Officer I
May L. Elder, Police Cadet
Paul R. Endean, Police Officer I
Derek J. Foster, Police Officer I
Richard A. Fox, Police Cadet
Ronald J. Gabonia, Police Cadet
Andrew D. Gabriel, Police Officer I
Carol J. Gonsalves, Police Radio Dispatcher I
Cory A. Gray, Police Officer I
Joshua D. Grotkin, Police Officer I
Jami Lee Harper, Police Officer I
Cal-Jason K. Hoopai, Police Officer II
Gregory S. Horton, Police Officer I
Tyler V. Jelsma, Police Cadet
Terence S. Ignacio, Police Officer I
Michelle K. Ka‘aukai-Perreira, Clerk III
Gregg A. Karonis, Police Officer II
Kimberly N. Kauanoe, School Crossing Guard
Ryan D. Kim, Radio Technician I
Bradden T. Kimura, Police Officer I
Brian N. Koge, Criminalist II
Stephen J. Kishimoto Jr., Police Officer I
William K. Marciniak, Police Officer I
Blayne M. Matsui, Police Cadet
Michael W. Matsumura, Police Officer I
Conchita Mendiola, Custodian/Groundskeeper I
Jennifer S. Minaai, Police Evidence Specialist I
Celestine I. Moke, Account Clerk
Shea L. A. Nactor, Police Officer I
Cherylyn T. Nakashima, School Crossing Guard
Jeena K. Notley, Police Cadet
Tara A. Okutsu, Police Cadet
Blake M. Ragocos, Police Officer I
Jonathon C. Reece, Police Officer I
Jeremy M. Riddle, Police Cadet
Coley K. Rowe, Police Officer I
Adrian C. Ruiz, Police Officer I
Michael K. Rutkowski, Police Officer I
Conchita Somera, School Crossing Guard
Micah K. M. Stevens, Police Officer I
Matthew A. Tejada, Police Cadet
Aron M. M. Tomota, Police Officer I
Joseph D. Thorpe, Police Officer I
Florinda Tadio, Custodian/Groundskeeper I
Trudi M. Tomori, Clerk III
Gabriel D. Wilson, Police Officer I
Brett P. Winther, Police Officer I
Danton K. Zimmermann, Police Officer I


-page 39-

Promotions

Charles M. Adams, Detective
Walter K. Ah Mow III, Detective
Daylan D. Asuncion, Detective
Dayne P. Bolos, Sergeant
John L. Briski, Detective
Wendall C. K. Carter, Sergeant
Miles K. Chong, Lieutenant
James K. Correa, Detective
BJ Duarte, Detective
Jeremie C. O. Evangelista, Lieutenant
Brad K. Feliciano, Detective
Paul K. Ferreira, Deputy Chief of Police
Paul M. Fukuda, Detective
Gilbert M. Gaspar Jr., Lieutenant
Darren K. Horio, Lieutenant
Travis T. Ing, Sergeant
Nori A. Ishii, Accountant IV
Myra H. Iwamoto, Detective
Marjorie-Ann L. Kahookele, Detective
Marshall K. Kanehailua, Assistant Police Chief
Samuel H. Kawamoto Jr., Lieutenant
Paul H. Kealoha Jr., Major
Alan M. Kimura, Detective
Harry S. Kubojiri, Chief of Police
Dennis W. Marshall, Radio Technician II
Ernest Y. Matsumoto Jr., Detective
Kelley K. Matsumoto, Detective
Tyson H. Matsumura, Detective
Brian K. Miller, Detective
Derek K. Morimoto, Sergeant
Renee E. Morinaka, Detective
Norbert A. Serrao Jr., Detective
Royce P. Serrao, Detective
Richard J. K. Sherlock, Lieutenant
Thomas A. Shopay, Sergeant
Sean M. K. Smith, Detective
Harold L. Sumaoang, Lieutenant
Chad A. Taniyama, Detective
Richard B. Toledo, Sergeant
Darryel M. Tolentino, Sergeant
Dominic A. Uyetake Jr., Sergeant
Aimee J. F. Wana, Lieutenant

Retirements

Randall M. Aurello, Police Officer II
Don Michael Canario, Police Officer II
Dexter K. Chaves, Lieutenant
Henry U. S. Chong, Police Officer II
Danny W. Freeman, Police Officer II
Ella-Mae T. Freitas, Police Records Clerk
Clyde I. Kawauchi, Police Officer II
Sharon L. Kennelly, Police Radio Dispatcher II
Michael A. Leite, Police Officer II
Lawrence K. Mahuna, Chief of Police
Leslie Matsumoto, Radio Technician II
Wayne T. Mitsunaga, Police Officer II
Robert I. Okajima, Sergeant
Tom C. Poy, Sergeant
Aiko I. Sato, Clerk III
Judith A. Taggerty, Investigative Operations Clerk
Blanche C. Urasaki, Clerk III


-page 40-

HAWAII COUNTY

In 2008, 13.6% of Hawaii's population resided in Hawaii County. During 2008, 12.0% of the State's Index Crimes, 12.6% of the violent crimes and 12.0% of the property crimes were reported in Hawaii County.

Overall, the number of reported Index Crimes decreased 6.8% in Hawaii County in 2008, with violent Index Crimes down 2.0% and property Index Crimes down 7.2%. Two Index Crime categories increased from 2007 to 2008: rape, 1.3%; and aggravated assault, 7.5%. The other six Index Crime categories decreased from 2007 to 2008: murder, 20.0%, robbery, 28.4%; burglary, 12.5%; larceny-theft, 5.0%; motor vehicle theft, 9.6%; and arson, 15.2%. Reported part II Offenses decreased 1.8% in 2008.

Hawaii County's total Index and property crime rates in 2008 were the lowest in the State of Hawaii.

The table on the following page lists the actual numbers of reported offenses, excluding traffic, in Hawaii County during the past 10 years. The population of Hawaii County increased 24.0% during this period; the number of reported Index Offenses increased 2.1%. Five of the eight Index Offenses increased over the decade, including rape, robbery, aggravated assault, motor vehicle theft, and arson.

Total Reported Index Offenses
Hawaii County, 1999-2008
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Total Index 5,815 6,425 6,985 6,936 7,133 6,219 8,278 6,760 6,369 5,935
Property Crime Index 5,558 6,188 6,708 6,715 6,838 5,929 7,807 6,327 5,919 5,484
Violent Crime Index 257 237 277 221 295 290 471 433 450 441

Source—Crime Prevention and Justice Assistance Division (2009). Crime in Hawaii, 2008: A Review of Uniform Crime Reports
State of Hawaii: Department of the Attorney General.


-page 41-

Reported Offenses
Hawaii County, 1999-2008
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Total Index
5,815
6,425
6,985
6,936
7,133
6,219
8,278
6,760
6,369
5,935
Violent Crime Index
257
237
277
221
295
290
471
433
450
441
Murder
5
4
8
5
6
3
5
4
5
4
Rape
62
53
68
35
48
86
18
65
77
78
Robbery
41
54
63
48
77
53
93
88
102
73
Assault
149
126
138
133
164
148
355
276
266
286
Property Crime Index
5,558
6,188
6,708
6,715
6,838
5,929
7,807
6,327
5,919
5,494
Burglary
1,400
1,449
1,538
1,539
1,437
1,162
1,837
1,426
1,381
1,208
Larceny-Theft
3,870
4,355
4,677
4,663
4,924
4,335
5,211
4,293
3,996
3,796
Motor Vehicle Theft
288
384
493
513
477
432
759
608
542
490
Arson
42
45
44
49
48
43
32
50
79
67

 

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Part II Offenses 16,177 17,527 18,432 18,987 19,070 18,954 17,665 17,133 17,889 17,564
Total Index & Part II 21,992 23,952 25,408 25,923 26,203 25,173 25,943 23,893 24,258 23,499

Note: Property Crime, Part II Offenses, and Total Index and Part II offenses exclude arson.

Source—Crime Prevention and Justice Assistance Division (2009). Crime in Hawaii, 2008: A Review of Uniform Crime Reports
State of Hawaii: Department of the Attorney General.


-page 42-

Total Index Crime Rate, Hawaii CouNty, 1999-2008

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
4,084 4,321 4,593 4,481 4,561 3,909 5,030 3,949 3,680 3,376
Rate per 100,000 Population

Percent of Index Crimes Cleared since 1999  
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
33.5 26.6 24.1 22.6 21.2 20.2 17.8 19.0 20.8 22.6

Index Crimes - Murder, forcible rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson. However, due to a different method of counting, arson is not included in the totals of reported Index Offenses and Index & Part II Offenses.

From 2007 to 2008:

  • Reported Index Crimes decreased 8.3% in rate

Comparing 2008 to 1999:

  • The Index crime rate declined 17.3%

In 2008, of the 5,935 Index Offenses reported:

  • Property crimes accounted for 92.6% (5,494).
  • Violent crimes accounted for 7.4% (441)

Hawaii County's total Index Crime rate in 2008 was the lowest on record since the start of statewide data collection in 1975.

Hawaii County's total Index Crime rate in 2008 was the lowest in the State of Hawaii.

Source—Crime Prevention and Justice Assistance Division (2009). Crime in Hawaii, 2008: A Review of Uniform Crime Reports
State of Hawaii: Department of the Attorney General.


-page 43-

Violent Crime Rate, Hawaii County, 1999-2008

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
180 159 182 143 189 182 286 263 230 251
Rate per 100,000 population

  Percent of Violent Index Crimes Cleared since 1999  

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
93.0 87.8 74.7 71.5 62.4 50.3 55.0 51.7 53.1 51.2

Violent Crimes - Murder, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault.

From 2007 to 2008:

  • The rate of reported violent crimes decreased 3.5%.

Comparing 2008 to 1999:

  • The violent crime rate increased 39.4%.

In 2008, of 441 violent crimes reported:

  • Aggravated assault accounted for 64.9% (286).
  • Forcible rape accounted for 17.7% (78)
  • Robbery accounted for 16.6% (73)
  • Murder accounted for 0.9% (4).

Source—Crime Prevention and Justice Assistance Division (2009). Crime in Hawaii, 2008: A Review of Uniform Crime Reports
State of Hawaii: Department of the Attorney General.


-page 44-

Murder Rate, Hawaii County, 1999-2008

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
3.5 2.7 5.3 3.2 3.8 1.9 3.0 2.3 2.9 2.3
Rate per 100,000 population

  

Percent of Murders Cleared since 1999

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
120.0 100.0 75.0 100.0 66.7 66.7 60.0 100.0 80.0 100.0

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

From 2007 to 2008:

  • The rate of reported murders decreased 20.7% (4 murders were reported in 2008, versus 5 reported in 2007).

Comparing 2008 to 1999:

  • The murder rate decreased 34.3%.

In 2008, of the 4 murders reported:

  • Firearms were involved in 50.0% (2).
  • Personal weapons (hands, fists, feet, etc.) were involved in 25.0% (1).
  • Knives or cutting instruments were involved in 25.0% (1).

Source—Crime Prevention and Justice Assistance Division (2009). Crime in Hawaii, 2008: A Review of Uniform Crime Reports
State of Hawaii: Department of the Attorney General.


-page 45-

Forcible Rape, Hawaii County, 1999-2008

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
43.5 35.6 44.7 22.6 30.7 54.1 10.9 38.0 44.5 44.4
Rate per 100,000 population

    

Percent of Forcible Rapes Cleared since 1999

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
72.6 96.2 82.4 62.9 83.3 30.2 66.7 46.2 42.9 43.6

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 2007 to 2008:

  • Reported forcible rapes decreased 0.2 % in rate.

Comparing 2008 to 1999:

  • The forcible rape rate increased 2.1%

Source—Crime Prevention and Justice Assistance Division (2009). Crime in Hawaii, 2008: A Review of Uniform Crime Reports
State of Hawaii: Department of the Attorney General.


-page 46-

Robbery Rate, Hawaii County 1999-2008

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
28.8 36.3 41.4 31.0 49.2 33.3 56.5 51.4 58.9 41.5
Rate per 100,000 Population

  

  Percent of Robberies Cleared since 1999

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
70.7 51.9 54.0 45.8 45.5 47.2 39.8 29.5 39.2 34.2

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 2007 to 2008:

  • Reported robberies decreased 29.5% in rate.

Comparing 2008 to 1999:

  • The robbery rate increased 44.1%.

In 2008, of the 73 robberies reported:

  • Strongarm (hands, fists, feet, etc.) robbery accounted for 71.2% (52).
  • Other dangerous weapons were involved in 13.7% (10)
  • Knives or cutting instruments were involved in 9.6% (7).
  • Firearms were involved in 5.5% (4).

Source—Crime Prevention and Justice Assistance Division (2009). Crime in Hawaii, 2008: A Review of Uniform Crime Reports
State of Hawaii: Department of the Attorney General.


-page 47-

Aggravated Assault Rate, Hawaii County, 1999-2008

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
104.6 84.7 90.7 85.9 104.9 93.0 215.7 161.2 153.7 162.7
Rate per 100,000 Population

  

Percent of Aggravated Assaults Cleared since 1999

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
106.7 99.2 80.4 82.0 64.0 62.8 58.3 59.4 60.9 57.0

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 2007 to 2008:

  • Reported aggravated assaults increased 5.9% in rate.

Comparing 2008 to 1999:

  • The aggravated assault rate increased 55.5%

In 2008, of the 286 reported aggravated assaults:

  • Strongarm (hands, fists, feet, etc.) accounted for 38.8% (111).
  • Other dangerous weapons were involved in 34.3% (98).
  • Knives or other cutting instruments were involved in 22.0% (63).
  • Firearms were involved in 4.9% (14).

Source—Crime Prevention and Justice Assistance Division (2009). Crime in Hawaii, 2008: A Review of Uniform Crime Reports
State of Hawaii: Department of the Attorney General.


-page 48-

Property Crime Rate, Hawaii County, 1999-2008

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
3,903 4,162 4,411 4,338 4,373 3,727 4,744 3,696 3,420 3,125
Rate per 100,000 Population

  

Percent of Index Property Crimes Cleared since 1999

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
30.7 24.2 22.0 21.0 19.4 18.7 15.6 16.8 18.3 20.3

Property Crimes - Burglary, larceny-theft, and motor vehicle theft. Arson is also a property crime; however, due to a different method of counting, it is not included in the totals of property crimes, Index Crimes, and total Index & Part II Offenses.

From 2007 to 2008:

  • Reported property crimes decreased 8.6% in rate.

Comparing 2008 to 1999:

  • The property crime rate decreased 19.9%

In 2008, of the 5,494 property crimes reported:

  • Larceny-theft accounted for 69.1% (3,796).
  • Burglary accounted for 22.0% (1,208).
  • Motor vehicle theft accounted for 8.9% (490).

Hawaii County's property crime rate in 2008 was the lowest in the State of Hawaii.

Source—Crime Prevention and Justice Assistance Division (2009). Crime in Hawaii, 2008: A Review of Uniform Crime Reports
State of Hawaii: Department of the Attorney General.


-page 49-

Burglary Rate, Hawaii County, 1999-2008

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
983 976 1,011 994 919 730 1,116 833 798 687
Rate per 100,000 Population

  

Percent of Burglaries Cleared since 1999

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
25.7 21.0 18.1 15.7 17.14 16.3 11.1 12.6 12.3 11.4

Burglary - the unlawful entry of a structure to commit a felony or a theft. Attempted burglary is included.

From 2007 to 2008:

  • Reported burglaries decreased 13.9% in rate.

Comparing 2008 to 1999:

  • The burglary rate decreased 30.1%.

In 2008, of the 1,308 burglaries and attempted burglaries reported:

  • Burglary accounted for 95.0% (1,147)
  • Attempted burglary accounted for 5.0% (61).

In 2008, of the 1,147 burglaries that were reported:

  • Structures entered by force accounted for 62.9% (721).
  • Structures entered without force accounted for 37.1% (426).

Hawaii County's burglary rate in 2008 was the lowest on record since the start of statewide data collection in 1975.

Source—Crime Prevention and Justice Assistance Division (2009). Crime in Hawaii, 2008: A Review of Uniform Crime Reports
State of Hawaii: Department of the Attorney General.


-page 50-

Larceny-Theft Rate, Hawaii County, 1999-2008

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
2,718 2,929 3,076 3,012 3,149 2,726 3,167 2,508 2,309 2,159
Rate per 100,000 Population

  

Percent of Larceny Thefts Cleared since 1999

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
32.1 24.0 22.7 22.4 19.6 19.7 15.5 17.6 19.9 23.5

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

From 2007 to 2008:

  • Reported larceny-thefts decreased 6.5% in rate.

Comparing 2008 to 1999:

  • The larceny-theft rate decreased 20.6%.

Hawaii County's larceny-theft rate in 2008 was the lowest in the State of Hawaii.

Source—Crime Prevention and Justice Assistance Division (2009). Crime in Hawaii, 2008: A Review of Uniform Crime Reports
State of Hawaii: Department of the Attorney General.


-page 51-

Motor Vehicle Theft Rate, Hawaii County, 1999-2008

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
202.3 258.3 324.2 331.4 305.0 271.6 461.2 355.2 313.2 278.8
Rate per 100,000 Population

Percent of Motor Vehicle Thefts Cleared since 1999

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
37.5 38.8 27.2 24.2 23.5 15.7 26.9 21.1 21.4 17.3

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

From 2007 to 2008:

  • Reported motor vehicle thefts decreased 11.0% in rate.

Comparing 2008 to 1999:

  • The motor vehicle theft rate increased 37.8%

In 2008, of the 490 motor vehicle thefts reported:

  • Other vehicles accounted for 38.6% (189). Included in this category are motorcycles, mopeds, and golf carts.
  • Autos accounted for 37.8% (185).
  • Trucks and buses accounted for 23.7%(116). Included in this category are pickup trucks and vans.

Source—Crime Prevention and Justice Assistance Division (2009). Crime in Hawaii, 2008: A Review of Uniform Crime Reports
State of Hawaii: Department of the Attorney General.


-page 52-

Arson Rate, Hawaii County, 1999-2008

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
29.5 30.3 28.9 31.7 30.7 27.0 19.4 29.2 45.6 38.1
Rate per 100,000 Population

Percent of Arsons Cleared since 1999

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
23.8 17.8 6.8 14.3 16.7 4.7 15.6 24.0 20.3 17.9

Arson - Any 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 2007 to 2008:

  • Reported arsons decreased 16.4% in rate.

Comparing 2008 to 1999:

  • The arson rate increased 29.2%.

Source—Crime Prevention and Justice Assistance Division (2009). Crime in Hawaii, 2008: A Review of Uniform Crime Reports
State of Hawaii: Department of the Attorney General.