Big Isle police chief
finalists admit public
image problem

3 of 4 top candidates want
more emphasis on professionalism

Ex-HPD official dies

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By Rod Thompson
rthompson@starbulletin.com

HILO >> Three of the four finalists for the position of Big Island police chief said it is time to reverse the erosion of public respect for the Hawaii County Police Department.

"The walled fortress mentality will not survive in the 21st century," finalist Capt. Samuel Thomas said last night during a county Police Commission meeting.

Acting Chief Lawrence Mahuna, the only one not to mention eroding respect, emphasized his patience and compassion in doing his job.

Besides Thomas and Mahuna, who is an assistant chief, the other finalists are Maj. Charles Chai and Sgt. Moses Kaoiwi. All are currently with the department.

The commission heard statements by the four last night, followed by public testimony.

Thomas said the department lost its way in the 1980s, an apparent reference to cheating on promotions that allegedly took place then. In a civil trial, a jury found that cheating did take place, but the case is on appeal.

A change in philosophy is needed, Thomas said. "'We know what's good for you' is no longer going to work," he said.

He called for being "blunt with the media" in the sense of admitting problems in the department. "We need to be honest with our mistakes," he said.

Chai also indicated there are problem officers in the department. Although citizen complaints to the commission are generally dismissed, "It's the same officers' names that come up all the time," he said.

He called for counseling for those officers.

Kaoiwi called for creating an Office of Professional Conduct and Responsibility in the department. He said he would increase ethical training and would measure success by decreased complaints about officers.

Mahuna described numerous improvements he has made, from increasing investigative skills to upgrading technical equipment.

All four found backers among the public. Retired Maj. Morton Carter backed Chai, while retired officer John Kalawe supported Mahuna.

Leleiwi community leader Donna Saiki praised Kaoiwi's work as a community policing officer, and Lynette Auna said Thomas had earned the trust of the community.

The previous police chief, James Correa, resigned last summer to become the federal Transportation Security Administration head at Kona Airport.

The commission will hold another public hearing on Nov. 29 at the Keauhou Beach Hotel in Kona and then select a chief on Dec. 9 at a public meeting in Hilo.