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Hawaii Police Commission <br /> Regular Session Minutes <br /> September 19, 2025 <br /> Page 4 <br /> dangerous contraband off the streets. They are conducting a thorough criminal and <br /> administrative investigation, as well as a comprehensive review of K9 policies and <br /> procedures to determine if there are any adjustments that could be made to prevent a <br /> similar incident from occurring in the future. <br /> Recruit Class Ceremony: The department welcomed new members during the 102nd <br /> Police Recruit Class recognition ceremony at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel. Officer Cody <br /> Hirata, class president, received the Firearms Award and was named Most Outstanding <br /> Recruit. Officer Kastle Quiocho, class vice president, received the Physical Fitness <br /> Award. <br /> 5th Annual Fill A Cruiser Event: The Kona Community Policing Section held its 5th <br /> annual Fill A Cruiser Food Drive on August 29, in partnership with Costco and the Food <br /> Basket, collecting over 4,600 pounds of food and $8,966 in donations. Both totals <br /> surpassed last year's results, bringing the five-year event total to 15,901 pounds of <br /> food and $27,924 in donations for Hawaii Island families in need. <br /> Automated External Defibrillators (AED) Donation: In late August, the Hawaii Police <br /> Department received 30 new AEDs from the Hilo Benioff Medical Center Foundation <br /> and the Max and Yetta Karasik Foundation. The donation brings the department's total <br /> to about 70 AEDs now deployed in patrol vehicles across the island. Equipping every <br /> officer with an AED is a top goal, since the devices can make the difference between <br /> life and death during cardiac emergencies. <br /> Badges and Buckets: The department sponsored the 22nd annual "Badges and <br /> Buckets" fundraiser (formerly "Cop on Top") at Hilo and Kona Wal-Mart stores, <br /> supporting Special Olympics Hawaii. Officers have raised over $250,000 through this <br /> event over the years. This event is the largest Special Olympics fundraiser of the year, <br /> and a large part of the annual budget is raised through this event alone. <br /> HPD Website: The department's website received the 2025 Web Award for <br /> Government Standard of Excellence from the Web Marketing Association, marking its <br /> fourth national or international award since its redesign. <br /> • Commendations and Awards: Chief Mahuna reported on recent recognitions, including <br /> HSLEOA Officer of the Year, Kona Crime Prevention Committee Officer of the Year, <br /> and HISSPA Officer of the Quarter (Q2 2025). The department also received five <br /> commendations involving four personnel since the last meeting. <br /> Following the report, commissioners expressed condolences regarding the recent <br /> canine death, emphasized the need for accountability, transparency, and policy <br /> changes, and raised questions on prevention measures and handler status. Chief <br /> Mahuna acknowledged the incident was preventable, explained that the department is <br /> taking full responsibility, and noted both administrative and criminal investigations are <br />