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Police chiefs back
faves for Big Island’s
top cop

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By Rod Thompson
Star-Bulletin

HILO - Honolulu Police Chief Lee Donohue supports Honolulu Maj. Robert Prasser to become the next chief of Hawaii County.

Retired Kauai Chief Brian Fujiuchi supports Acting Chief James Correa.

Maui Chief Thomas Phillips says both men are exceptional

Those were among the opinions in letters to the Hawaii County Police Commission as it began taking public comment on the finalists yesterday.

With Prasser little known on the Big Island, people speaking for Correa were in the majority. But letters were more balanced in naming favorites.

Donohue praised Prasser for his abilities, adding, "He is witty and humorous and has the ability to laugh at himself, which I consider important."

Fujiuchi wrote, "You need someone who is respected from within the police department as well as from the community they serve." That man is Correa, Fujiuchi wrote.

He warned, "From my experience, every department from the state of Hawaii that hired a chief from outside its jurisdiction suffered greatly."

The newcomers were qualified, but not "in tune" with the department, he said.

Honolulu Assistant Chief Eugene Uemura praised Prasser's "people-oriented" administration. "He commands with deep-seated integrity and honesty, which are based on his commitment to his religious beliefs and his family."

Lauding Correa, state Department of Public Safety Deputy Director Sidney Hayakawa said the Big Island has unique law enforcement situations.

"It will be very difficult and it will take considerable time for an outsider to become familiar with these situations," he wrote.

Among those testifying in person was Del Pranke, a frequent critic of the commission, who voiced frustration that the public had been unable to comment on other applicants.

Commissioner Pete Muller, saying three semi-finalists signed statements allowing their names to be disclosed, later revealed they were retired Maj. John Vares, Capt. Elroy Osorio, and Lt. Donald Watson.

Poverty programs administrator George Yokoyama said an outsider would have to struggle.

"To understand this multi-ethnic culture, it takes a long time. You cannot just come here and understand." Correa won't need on-the-job orientation, Yokoyama said.

Another speaker, Keola Downing, countered, "I hope that you don't rigidly hold to the idea that it's virtually impossible to have someone from off this island to be our new police chief."

The commission yesterday added another hearing to the series it is holding. The three remaining ones are Jan. 3 in Kona, Jan. 8 in Hilo, and Jan. 19 in Kona.