Nine at HPD in running
to replace Nakamura

The Police Commission hopes
to name the fifth police chief
in 50 years by April

By Rod Ohira
Star-Bulletin

Police Chief Michael Nakamura's successor will assume a position marked by stability for the past 50 years.

Since 1948, only four men have served as Honolulu police chief -- Daniel S.C. Liu (October 1948-June 1969), Francis Keala (December 1969-April 1983), Douglas Gibb (June 1983-December 1989) and Nakamura (August 1990-December 1997).

The Police Commission plans to name an acting police chief this month and hopes to have the retiring Nakamura's replacement in office by April.

Potential in-house candidates include:

Deputy Chief Lee Donohue, 55, 33-1/2 years with HPD. Commands Central and Regional patrol bureaus. Graduate of McKinley High and Chaminade University.

Deputy Chief William Clark, 53, 32 years with HPD. Commands administrative, support services, investigative and special field operations bureaus. Was named city Manager of the Year in 1993 for pioneering efforts in community policing. Initiated department's alternative call servicing and citizens police academy programs. New Jersey native and graduate of Chaminade University.

Assistant Chief Barbara Wong, 44, 25 years with HPD, 23 as a uniformed officer. Oversees operations for Central Honolulu, Kalihi, Waikiki and East Honolulu patrol districts. Became highest ranking woman officer in department in February 1997. Graduate of Punahou School and University of Hawaii who holds master's degrees in sociology and criminal justice from UH and San Jose State, respectively.

Maj. Robert Silva, 51, 30 years with HPD. Commands Records and Identification Division. Decorated twice for valor -- received gold medal in 1975 for resolving a barricade situation involving an armed man threatening to kill himself and his wife, and a silver medal in 1971 for rescuing three people from a fire at the old Queen's Hotel. Graduate of St. Louis School and the University of Hawaii.

Maj. John Kerr, 49, 20 years with HPD. Commands Specialized Services Division. Native of Michigan with degrees from Eastern Michigan and Central Michigan. Graduated from FBI National Academy and is Hawaii chapter president of FBI National Academy Associates.

Maj. Boisse Correa, 51, 27 years with HPD. Commands East Honolulu patrol district. Spearheaded HPD lobby for ban on assault weapons and mandatory arrest for spouse abuse. Attended Kalani High School and earned degrees from Sacramento State and the University of Hawaii. Graduated with honors from FBI National Academy. Also attended Secret Service Executive Protection Academy. Served as chief of police for Micronesia and Truk from 1977-79.

Maj. Gary Dias, 47, 26-1/2 years with HPD. Commands Traffic Division. Headed homicide investigations for six years and also the Scientific Investigation Section. Started popular "Sherlock Holmes Night" program. Graduate of Damien High School and earned a master's degree from Chaminade.

Capt. Darryl Perry, 47, 25 years with HPD. Commands Informational Resources Section. Former executive officer in Wahiawa patrol district. Attended Kauai High School and Hawaii Pacific University. Avid bicycle racer.

Capt. Harry Auld, 49, 26 years with HPD. Commands Criminal Intelligence Unit. Has 12 years experience in covert operations with the Narcotics/Vice Division and Intelligence Unit. Attended Kamehameha, Chapman College and the University of Hawaii.

Retired Assistant Chief Robert Doug Aton, currently director of the city Office of Waikiki Development, may also be a potential candidate.

"At this point, I'm enjoying my retirement benefits and if I'm approached, I would need to consider whether it's worth it to get back in," Aton said.

Aton, 54, retired earlier after 31 years with HPD and took a job as head of security for Queen's Medical Center.