For his selfless work to make Hawai‘i Island a safer place for children, Detective Gavin Kagimoto was honored with the Haweo Award during a ceremony held at Hawai‘i County Council chambers in Hilo on Tuesday, July 6, 2021.
The award was presented by the Council’s Parks and Recreation and Public Safety Committee (PRPSC), which earlier this year partnered with the Hawai‘i Police Department and Hawai‘i Fire Department to recognize employees that go above and beyond the call of duty. The police and fire departments alternate each month to select one employee to be the recipient of this award, which is presented during PRPSC meetings. Haweo, for which this award is named, means to glow or to be radiant. Officer Kagimoto was presented with a lei and a certificate signed by each Councilmember at the ceremony.
A detective with the Area I Juvenile Aid Section for the past five years, Kagimoto was recognized for spearheading Operation Keiki Shield East Hawai‘i in May. He helped coordinate a multi-agency operation involving more than 50 personnel, managing logistics with five different agencies, including the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations, the Department of the Attorney General – Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the United States Secret Service, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. In addition to conducting team meetings, he also acted as an investigator charging one of the cases.
As a result of Operation Keiki Shield East Hawai‘i, five suspects were charged with electronic enticement of a child for soliciting sexual acts from children.
Described as a compassionate leader who works tirelessly to protect the community, Detective Kagimoto has served Hawai‘i Police Department for 17 years.
This comments section is a public community forum for the purpose of free expression. Although Big Island Now encourages respectful communication only, some content may be considered offensive. Please view at your own discretion. View Comments
