2026-01-29 Police Commission Regular Minutes

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Regular Session Minutes January 29, 2026 Page 2 Sam Guckenheimerstated this is his 7th time testifying on chief selection. He spoke about values vs. credentials, stressing moral authority and daily behavior.Cited prior ICE/DHS raids in Kona involving schoolchildren, and Minneapolis protests with 75,000 marching in cold weather.He pointed to local leaders in Minnesota (chiefs, mayor, prosecutors, attorney general, governor) standing up for residents despitefederal pressure.Mr. Guckenheimer urged consideration of moral authority and values when selecting the chief. Commissioner Tavares arrived at 9:08 a.m. Grace Castillo, retired policeofficer and currentairport security managerat theHilo International Airport,expressed that she has known Reed Mahuna since 1998,when he was a recruit; she was abaton instructor. She observed his professional growth into a patrol officer, traffic enforcement officer, detective, and later ranks.She highlightedhis professionalism, compassion, honesty, and respect in the community.She strongly urged the selection of Mahuna as Chief. Jason Cortez,retired captainwith the , met Mahuna in 1993 during ride-alongsin Waimea and South Hilo before Mahuna became an officer.He noted Mahuna’s passion for law enforcement even before joining HPD.Observed his development across ranks and roles, stating he often had to work twice as hard as the son of a former chief.Praised his humilityanddedication to community service.Called Mahuna his top recommendation for Chief. Don Faumuina, (SHOPO). Expressed full and unwavering support for Interim ChiefMahuna as permanent Chief.He emphasized Mahuna’s manyyears of experience across nearly every role in the department. He doesn’t need alearning curve, as he is already successfully performing the role. Addressed retention, recruitment, and morale challenges.Called Mahuna a “cop’s cop” who balances accountability with fairness.Highlighted recentissues handled with transparency and integrity, with afocus on public trust and due process. Christopher Gali,retired sergeant; former commander of the Traffic Enforcement Unit, Has known Mahuna since 1995,when hewas a student at UH Hilo, majoring in Administration of Justice, and doing ride-alongs.He later supervised Mahuna in the Traffic Enforcement Unit (TEU).Noted TEU’s role in keeping their roadways and highways safe, lowering traffic fatalities through enforcement and education.Credited Mahuna with originating a pilot project in 2006,using unmarked subsidized vehicles with hidden emergency lights for detecting high-risk drivers;theprogram later expanded in 2007 with state grant funds and is still in use.After retirementin 2016,he continued to observe Mahuna’s public presence and community engagement.Described a funeral he