Maui cop who shot self
faces hearing

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Star-Bulletin staff

WAILUKU >> An administrative hearing is expected within a couple of weeks for a Maui police officer who shot himself and then fabricated a report that he was shot by a suspect during a traffic stop.

Donald Nakooka, 32, a 10-year veteran of the police force, remained on paid sick leave pending the outcome of the hearing.

Police Chief Thomas Phillips said an internal investigation has been forwarded to the department's administrative review board, which examines alleged violations of policy and procedures.

Phillips said Nakooka has met with him briefly to apologize for his conduct.

"Obviously, he has some issues," Phillips said. "He's not a bad person. He's very good person."

Nakooka suffered a severe bruise to his chest when a bullet fired by him struck his bulletproof vest on Dec. 4.

He initially told investigators a man shot him during a traffic stop on Honoapiilani Highway near Kapalua, and police conducted an islandwide manhunt for the suspect he described.

Police later recovered a 9 mm pistol from Nakooka's home.