Hawaiʻi Police Department welcomes 13 officers from the 104th recruit class

Thirteen new officers have joined the Hawai‘i Police Department following the 104th Police Recruit Class recognition ceremony in Hilo.

The 104th Police Recruit Class began training on Aug. 1, 2025. After six-and-a-half months of academic instruction, which concluded on Feb. 15, 2026, recruits completed three-and-a-half months of field training under the guidance of veteran officers across various districts.

On Friday, May 29, each officer joining the department had their badge pinned on by a loved one during the recognition ceremony at the Grand Naniloa Hotel. Attendance was limited to police personnel, guest speakers, and family members.

The class included Officer Breeze Abadilla, Officer Czar Alfred Agustin, Officer Cassius Aiwohi-Kegler, Officer Trenten Blomgren, Officer Travis Carvalho, Officer Bernard Flowers, Officer Marquis Hall, Officer Kaelin Himphill, Officer Vaea Iona, Officer Pa‘akaula Kalawakī‘anui, Officer Kaizen Kapuni-Lankford, Officer Karl Nickel, and Officer Michael Rabara.

Kalawakeī‘anui was the class president of the 104th Recruit Class and gave an address to the class, families, and guests during the ceremony.

“To the community we are about to serve, we are ready. We are 13 different stories that have become one, and we bring all of it,” Kalawakī‘anui said. “Every background, every experience, every ounce of heart we have, to this work. We do not take lightly the trust you place in us, and we intend to honor it every single day.”

Special recognition was also given to recruits who excelled during academic training.

• Abadilla received the Academic Award, presented to the recruit who achieves the highest overall average on weekly examinations throughout the police academy.
• Kalawakī‘anui received the Firearms Award for demonstrating the highest level of performance and proficiency.
• Rabara was awarded the Physical Fitness Award for excelling in and maintaining conditioning throughout training.
• Aiwohi-Kegler was awarded the Most Outstanding Recruit Award for performing in the upper 10 percent academically and physically, and served as an inspirational example for his fellow officers.

Members of the 104th Police Recruit Class have been assigned their solo assignments in the districts of Kona, Kaʻū, and North Kohala starting June 1, 2026.