Hawai‘i Police Department Announces Promotions of Eight Officers

Acting Police Chief Kenneth Bugado recently announced that eight officers with the Hawai‘i Police Department were promoted effective Sept. 1.

Two officers were promoted to the rank of sergeant and both are assigned to the Puna District:

• Sgt. Michael Matsumura, a 13-year veteran of the department, most recently served as a school resource officer in the South Hilo District.
• Sgt. David Poohina, a nine-year veteran of the department, most recently served as police officer II in the Puna District.

Six officers were promoted to the rank of detective; four of them are assigned to Area II Criminal Investigations Division Criminal Investigations Section:

• Detective Jason Foxworthy has been with the department 14 years and most recently served with the Area II Traffic Enforcement Unit.
• Detective Matthew Lewis, a 15-year veteran of the department, most recently served as a community policing officer in the South Hilo District.
• Detective Len Hamakado has been with the department nine years and most recently served in the Area II Traffic Enforcement Unit.
• Detective Steven Grace is a five-year veteran of the department and most recently served in the Area II Vice Section.

The other two officers promoted to detectives are assigned to the Area II Criminal Investigations Division Juvenile Aid Section:

• Detective Blayne Matsui, a 12-year veteran of the department, most recently served as police officer III in the Puna District.
• Detective John Kari, a nine-year veteran of the department, most recently served as Community Policing Officer in the Hāmākua District.