Aloha Exchange Club of East Hawai‘i honors 4 Hawai‘i Police Department officers

Aloha Exchange Club of East Hawai‘i recently applauded four Hawai‘i Police Department officers for decisive action and outstanding investigative work in separate incidents demonstrating distinguished police work during the first 3 months of 2026.

All four were honored during an April 23 luncheon in Hilo.

Honorees were:

• Officer Calvin Furtado: January 2026 Officer of the Month.
• Officers Josiah Loving and Victor McLellan: February 2026 Officers of the Month.
• Officer Jared-Taylor Makaweo-Quihano: March 2026 Officer of the Month.

Furtado, a 6-year veteran assigned to the Puna District, was awarded for his proactive enforcement efforts leading to the recovery of a stolen vehicle and arrest of a suspect on multiple felony drug and theft charges.

He was conducting directed patrol during the early morning of Jan. 20 in an area known for frequent criminal activity. Furtado spotted a pickup truck matching the description of a vehicle reported stolen just hours earlier, and after initiating a traffic stop, the driver exited the moving vehicle and attempted to flee on foot.

Furtado apprehended the driver after a brief pursuit.

Further investigation confirmed the vehicle was stolen and led to the recovery of methamphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

The suspect was charged with first-degree theft, unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle, promoting a dangerous drug and promoting a detrimental drug. His bail was set at $21,000.

The pickup was returned to its owner within 10 hours of being reported stolen.

Loving and McLellan were honored for their teamwork following a Feb. 15 hit-and-run crash that injured a visiting family from Washington state.

Loving assisted injured victims upon responding to the two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Kanoelehua Avenue and Pūʻainakō Street, later learning a 15-year-old passenger suffered a serious injury, elevating the case to a felony investigation.

McLellan at the same time used an automated cellphone crash alert and department resources to identify the fleeing driver, coordinating with Puna Patrol officers to locate and arrest the suspect.

The visiting family’s rental vehicle was disabled, and the officers assisted with securing temporary lodging and transportation for them.

Loving continued the investigation and obtained additional evidence that led to seven charges against the suspect.

Makaweo-Quihano, a 5-year veteran assigned to the Puna District, was awarded for his swift investigative work in a financial crimes case involving an elderly victim.

He responded March 3 to a report of a missing debit card and unauthorized transactions totaling $780 made while the victim was hospitalized. Makaweo-Quihano identified the suspect — coordinating with bank employees along with surveillance footage review — and issued an all-points bulletin after unsuccessful initial attempts to locate the person.

The officer located and arrested the suspect the following day, then authored and executed a search warrant that led to the recovery of the victim’s financial cards and additional evidence.

He worked with county prosecutors to secure multiple felony charges related to fraud, theft, identity theft and drug offenses. The suspect’s bail was set at $40,100.

Financial crime investigations often require time, coordination and attention to detail. Makaweo-Quihano completed this complex investigation — from initial report to arrest and charging ü in just more than a day.

Hawaiʻi Police Department congratulates Furtado, Loving, McLellan and Makaweo-Quihano for the well-deserved honors.