HILO » Lawrence K. Mahuna, chief of the Hawaii County Police Department for the past six years, will retire at the end of the year, he announced yesterday.

Today is Mahuna's 58th birthday, Deputy Chief Harry Kubojiri said.

Finding a replacement will be the job of the county Police Commission.

Mahuna is a graduate of Kamehameha Schools and has a bachelor of science degree with honors in psychology from Washington State University.

His psychology background was echoed in his management style.

“;One must have the ability to listen, as this may give rise to a straightforward answer from a subordinate, which may enhance the officers' working conditions and morale,”; his announcement said.

“;I had officers come into my office to thank me for considering them even when someone else got the promotion, as they knew that they were treated fairly,”; he said.

Mahuna joined the department in 1973 and worked his way up.

Among his accomplishments are creation of an Ice Task Force, a Special Response Team, and a police cadet program.

By the end of the year, the department will be at full strength for the first time since 1999, he said.

He plans to spend his retirement working with at-risk youth exposed to drugs.