#Reed Mahuna

Police Chief Reed Mahuna started “talk story” sessions a year ago when he was serving as interim chief, and has continued them because he said it is important to be available to the public.

Hawaiʻi Police Chief Reed Mahuna will host his next talk story session from noon to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, July 29 at the West Hawaiʻi Civic Center in Kailua-Kona.

Nobody knows why the 36-year-old allegedly murdered three elderly men he knew in Puna.

The suspect, 36-year-old Jake Baker, was captured on Red Road in Kaimu near Kalapana, according to a resident who took video of the arrest.

Capt. Edwin A. Buyten of the Hawaiʻi Police Department has reached a major milestone in his 24-year career by completing the prestigious 22-week School of Police Staff and Command program at Northwestern University’s Center for Public Safety.

Effective May 1, the Hawaiʻi Police Department now has a new major, captain and two assistant chiefs.

A free, informal talk story will be from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, April 21 at the Kohala Intergenerational Center in Kapaʻau.

Budget discussions before Hawai‘i County Council continue today with several departments outlining their priorities, including Parks and Recreation, Office of Aging and Environmental Management.

Officer Christopher Barto of South Hilo has been lauded for his commendable efforts in defusing a serious threat on Hawaiʻi Island, earning him the prestigious Hāweo Award.

These meetings are designed to promote safety awareness and strengthen communication between police and residents, particularly for seniors on Hawai‘i Island.

If approved, Bird’s appointment would mark the first time in the department’s 83-year history that a woman has served as deputy chief.

A larger public swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for March 6.

“It was clear to me that he wasn’t resting on the laurels of being the son of a high-ranking officer,” said retired Capt. Randy Medeiros, who had supervised Reed Mahuna.

Three Hawaiʻi Island police officers were discharged in 2025, with two of the the cases being forwarded to the Hawai‘i County Prosecuting Attorney.

Reed Mahuna beat out 63 other candidates and had been serving as interim coach since the resignation of former chief Ben Moszkowicz on Aug. 31.

The four new officers completed six months of academic instruction and four months of field training.

The nine commissioners will reconvene on Friday to select a new chief, a process that began months ago with the Aug. 31 resignation of Ben Moszkowicz.

Hawaiʻi County Police Commission Chair Greg Yamada said there is a good cross-section of candidates: “I saw a couple who seemed pretty impressive on paper as far as where they would like to take the department and future goals.”

The Hawaiʻi County Police Commission will interview the eight candidates during public meetings Jan. 28 and 29 in Kona.

Officers Blane Kenolio and Noah Serrao pled not guilty Wednesday to charges stemming from a May 2023 case involving alleged unconstitutional searches of an arresteeʻs belongings.