Four Hawai‘i police officers honored by Kona Crime Prevention Committee

Four Hawai‘i Police Department officers were honored by the Kona Crime Prevention Committee in the second quarter of 2024.

Officer Makena Nahooikaika was honored as Officer of the Month for April, Officer Margot Babauta and Officer Curry McFadden for May and Officer Collin Roberts for June.

April: Officer Makena Nahooikaika
Officer Nahooikaika was recognized for her work during an investigation into the fraudulent use of a credit card that took place on New Year’s Day 2024. The detective assigned to the case praised the preliminary investigation conducted by Officer Nahooikaika for its thoroughness.

Officer Nahooikaika has worked in Kona Patrol since completing her field training following her graduation from the department’s 94th recruit class in December 2021, for which she was class treasurer. This is the second time she has been recognized as Officer of the Month by KCPC, last winning the award in November 2023.

May: Officers Margot Babauta and Curry McFadden
Officers Margot Babauta and Curry McFadden were honored for their teamwork during a burglary investigation in January of this year.

They made an arrest and recovered 40 items with an estimated value of $1,782.82, which were located, processed and returned to the victim.

This is the first time both officers have been nominated for Officer of the Month. Officer Babauta graduated from the 93rd recruit class in February 2021, and Officer McFadden graduated from the 91st recruit class, of which he was class president, in March 2020.

June: Officer Collin Roberts
While on patrol in Kona on the night of Feb. 22, Officer Roberts observed a woman suspected of being a narcotics distributor driving a vehicle with an expired registration.

Conducting a traffic stop on the vehicle for the expired registration, Officer Roberts observed a piece of tin foil with a burnt yellow/brown residue on it and a small jar containing methamphetamine. He then found a bag of fentanyl.

During the ensuing investigation, Area II Vice officers searched the car and recovered 5.1 grams of powdered fentanyl, 1.4 grams of methamphetamine, and three morphine pills. As the investigation progressed, police learned that the woman had received a Fed-Ex package containing 26.7 grams of powdered fentanyl. Police were able to locate and recover the Fed-Ex package.

Officer Roberts has worked in Kona Patrol since completing his field training following his graduation from the department’s 95th recruit class in June 2022, for which he was class president. This is the second time he has been recognized as Officer of the Month by KCPC, last winning the award in October 2023 for his efforts apprehending suspects while off-duty.