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Hawai'i Police Commission
<br /> Regular Session Minutes
<br /> September 19, 2025
<br /> Page 3
<br /> • Vice Report: Captain Edwin Buyten of the Vice Division reported the following seizures
<br /> for August 2025: 27.86g cocaine, 70g crack cocaine, 3.4g coca leaves/plant, 1,655.91 g
<br /> (3.6 lbs.) methamphetamine, 0.40g fentanyl, 2 fentanyl pills, 8,165.95g (18 lbs.)
<br /> processed marijuana, 35 marijuana plants, 371g marijuana edibles, 1,445.61g (3.1 lbs.)
<br /> marijuana concentrate, 0.5g MDMA, and 1,319 prescription pills (unspecified).
<br /> Paraphernalia included 4 bongs, 13 pipes, 3 grinders, 14 scales, and 57 vape devices.
<br /> Cash seized totaled $19,163. Weapons seized included 6 illegal firearms, 232 rounds
<br /> of ammunition, and 9 fireworks. There were 31 arrests, 131 offenses, and 25 search
<br /> warrants executed.
<br /> Following the report, commissioners inquired about Vice Division activities, THC vape
<br /> devices, seized paraphernalia, and the handling of seized cash and jewelry. Captain
<br /> Buyten explained that forfeitures are processed civilly, with proceeds directed to the
<br /> state's general fund and later distributed to agencies. He also noted that Hawai'i
<br /> County accounts for over 70% of narcotics recovered statewide, reflecting their
<br /> proactive efforts.
<br /> • Personnel Report: Assistant Chief Sherry Bird reported that as of August 31, 2025, the
<br /> department had 67 sworn vacancies (85 in the field, offset by recruits from the 103rd
<br /> and 104th classes). Of 493 sworn positions, 426 are filled (86%). Civilian staffing is at
<br /> 117 filled of 161 positions (73%). For Police Communications Officers I and II, there are
<br /> 23 filled and 16 vacant; for Supervising Police Communications Officers, four are filled,
<br /> with one vacancy.
<br /> AC Bird provided an update on recruitment activities, recruit classes, and ongoing
<br /> recruitment efforts.
<br /> • Finance: AC Bird reported that as of August 31, 2025, HPD's overall expenditure target
<br /> was 20.27%, with the actual expenditure at 20.42%. Target salaries and wages were
<br /> 20.83%, with the actual expenditure at 21.29%. Regular salaries and wages were at
<br /> 17.95%, overtime salaries and wages at 80.05%, and miscellaneous salaries and
<br /> wages at 30.13%.
<br /> Following the finance report, the commission inquired about overtime and
<br /> expenditures. Assistant Chief Bird added that unbudgeted payouts have impacted the
<br /> department's budget.
<br /> • Other Department Activities Reported by Interim Chief Mahuna:
<br /> Passing of K9 Archer: On September 4, while on duty, K9 Archer passed away. Archer
<br /> was left unattended in a police vehicle for an unacceptable period of time. Archer, a six-
<br /> and-a-half-year-old Belgian Malinois/German Shepherd mix from Hungary, joined the
<br /> Hawai'i Police Department in 2021 and was trained in narcotics detection. He served
<br /> alongside his handler in numerous operations, assisting in keeping drugs and
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