Hawaii County’s interim police chief tapped for permanent post

HILO (HawaiiNewsNow) - After interviewing eight candidates, the Hawaii County Police Commission has selected a new chief.

The commission voted Friday to present a conditional offer to interim police chief Reed Mahuna.

“It was a very humbling experience for me to sit here through the last few days. I’ll never take for granted the trust you’ve put in me,” Mahuna said.

“One of the things I say often is I’m not going to let you guys down. I won’t let any of you down. I won’t let this committee down. I’ll show you what I can do. I’ll show you how I’m going to lead this department with my vision. I think we’re going to do really great things for the community,” he continued.

Mahuna has been leading the department for nearly five months, having assumed the interim position after former chief Ben Moszkowicz was forced to resign after applying to be Honolulu’s chief.

He was formerly deputy chief, and previously served as major of Area I Operations, overseeing the Criminal Investigation Division.

Overwhelming community support

On Friday morning, prior to the vote, the commission heard public testimony on the candidates. Community members and police officers testified overwhelmingly in support of Mahuna.

“Chief Mahuna went to my farm to learn a little bit about coffee and see how he can help us with these troubling times that we’re going through,” said Armando Rodriguez, a Big Island coffee farmer and immigrant. “I’m sure he’s going to do a good job. He’s done a good job so far.”

Police Capt. Edwin Buyten said, “There are managers and there are leaders. I worked for many managers but I worked for very few leaders. I trust this man and I hope you do too.”

Wendy Botelho, vice chair of the commission said she listened to all of Mahuna’s supports from the administrative level to the union before voting for Mahuna, “I heard everything.”

Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda said what set Mahuna apart was “his experience already being the chief.”

“He also has a good relationship with the unions, understands the needs of his employees and colleagues,” he said. “(Mahuna) also knows how important it is to me when it comes to working across departments.”

In a statement, the State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers (SHOPO) State Board of Directors said:

“We congratulate Chief Reed Mahuna on his selection as Hawaii County’s next Chief of Police. With nearly thirty years of service to the Hawaii Police Department, Chief Mahuna has the experience and local knowledge needed to make positive changes that will modernize the Department and make our neighborhoods safer. SHOPO is committed to working in partnership with Chief Mahuna to make the Hawaii Police Department a place where officers are excited to come to work to provide the high-quality police services that Hawaii residents deserve.”

Commissioner in question

The decision was not unanimous. Seven of the eight commissioners voted for Mahuna, a nearly 28-year veteran of the force.

Only commission chair Greg Yamada said Mahuna was not his clear choice.

“I actually have three candidates that I think would be suitable,” Yamada said. Mahuna was one of the three, but not Yamada’s first choice, so he abstained during the vote.

Yamada explained that as a former police officer, he felt there was often a disconnect between department leaders and the rank-and-file.

He said he is going to meet with Mahuna about these concerns.

What’s next

Mahuna’s offer is pending background and other checks, but should be wrapped up by the next meeting in mid-February.

He says he is anxious to move forward and has a priority once sworn in.

“My first order of business: establishing a regular community engagement goal for all of my command staff,” Mahuna said. “I want them out there out in the community listening to people, sitting down, hearing what they have to say, and then channel that back into the chief’s office. Then I can use that information to make informed decisions for those very same people.”

The other finalists included the department’s assistant chief, along with six candidates from departments outside Hawaii.

Meanwhile, the Honolulu Police Department has been without a permanent chief for six months, and the Honolulu Commission says its selection process could still take another five or six months.

Watch our previous coverage here: