Officer Kubojiri Honored Again for Police Work

A South Hilo police patrol officer has been recognized for his exemplary police work for the second time this year.

Officer Jeremy Kubojiri was honored on Dec. 19 as “Officer of the Month” by the Aloha Exchange Club of East Hawaii for his efforts in apprehending a repeat offender and for stopping multiple thefts and an attempted arson in a separate case.

The first involved a speeding truck that had pulled off to the side of the road. When Kubojiri approached the vehicle, the driver began acting suspiciously and a glass pipe was observed in the truck.

Kubojiri determined that the driver was wanted for felony assault and abuse by choking, and was also an unlicensed and uninsured driver.

A search of the vehicle resulted in the recovering of crystal methamphetamine and marijuana. The driver was charged with three felony offenses, felony assault, felony abuse and driving with a revoked license and without insurance.

Four nights later, Kubojiri was patrolling downtown Hilo when he spotted a man with a moped and a bicycle who was throwing a burning object onto the roof of a garage.

Police extinguished the flaming object and learned that the moped and bicycle belonged to the garage owner.

The suspect was arrested and was later charged with five offenses including felony theft and arson.

Kubojiri’s supervisor, Sgt. Paul Kim, wrote that he nominated Kubojiri for the honor “because his consistent, proactive policing and thorough investigation led to the capture of a repeat offender wanted for violent crimes and the capture of an apparent thief and would-be arsonist downtown, making the streets safer for the community.”

In June, Kuboriji was named “Officer of the Year” for his performance on a special assignment as South Hilo Patrol’s drunken driving enforcement officer.

The recent award means Kubojiri will be eligible for next year’s “Officer of the Year.”