By Kathryn Bender, Star-Bulletin
Lee Donohue accepts leis and hugs of congratulation
after he was announced as Honolulu's new chief of police
this morning.

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Lee Donohue's peers say
he will be one of the best the
department has ever had

By Rod Ohira
Star-Bulletin

Lee Donohue, who was named today as Honolulu's new police chief, is described by his peers as a "policeman's policeman."

"We believe he will be one of the best and fairest chiefs this department has ever had," said Bennie Atkinson, State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers president and a Honolulu Police Department lieutenant. "There's an open communication line with him."

Maj. Boisse Correa, commander of the East Honolulu patrol district, said Donohue is well respected within the department.

"He kept everything intact while we were having conflicts with the budget, big investigations and the (two fatal police) shootings," Correa added. "We like him, not only because he's one of us, but because he's a leader who can make decisions and get people to follow him."

Honolulu's eighth police chief brings nearly 34 years of experience, organizational ability and a community-oriented philosophy to a department in transition.

"Throughout the assessment process, the commissioners were very impressed with his overall leadership qualities," Police Commission Chairman Ron Taketa said.

"He has ability to analyze problems and address critical issues within the department, such as the budget, leadership, stepping up management training, and sexual harassment. Some hard decisions have to be made and we're convinced he has the vision and leadership to do it."

Donohue, 55, envisions the department as a "high performance, efficient and well-respected organization" in partnership with the community.

"We believe in working together with our communities to foster an atmosphere of cooperation that will make our city a place where all people live safely and without fear."

Donohue plans to implement a five-year policy statement called "HPD 2003" this summer.

It calls for a steering committee that "will identify our priorities to address the financial crisis we are now faced with and a detailed functional plan on future community policing efforts."

Donohue has been serving as acting chief since Jan. 1, following the December retirement of Michael Nakamura.

Donohue came up through the ranks and established deep roots within the community.

"He has the charisma and leadership qualities to galvanize the department," Maj. Henry "Butch" Robinson said.

Donohue has been active in the community as a football coach, and organizer of the Kick Start Karate program.

Donohue, who is of Korean-Irish ancestry, and his wife, Lucille, have four children. His oldest son, Lee Jr., is a police officer.

Donohue will earn about $85,000 per year as chief. The position has no term limit but voters will decide this fall on a renewable five-year term proposal.