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MPD promotes three to rank of Sergeant

June 14th, 2010 by MauiNOW staff

The Maui Police Department today announced the promotion of three officers to the rank of Sergeant.  The list includes Myles Won of the Wailuku Patrol Division, Randy Esperanza of the Vice Narcotics Division and Nelson Hamilton with Lanai Patrol.  Chief Gary Yabuta made the announcement today, with each promotion to Detective/Sergeant set to take effect on Wednesday June 16th, 2010.

From left to right: Sgt. Randy Esperanza, Sgt. Myles Won, and Sgt. Nelson Hamilton. Photos courtesy Maui Police Department.

Sergeant Won began his career with the Maui Police Department 15 ½ years ago as a patrol officer in the Lahaina District.  He then transferred to the Wailuku Patrol District where he was worked in the Department’s Crime Reduction Unit and Field Training Program.  Sgt. Won will take up his new promotion with the Lanai Patrol District.

Sergeant Randy Esperanza, is a 14 ½ year veteran of the Maui Police Department.  He began his career with the Wailuku Patrol Division and was assigned to the Molokai District in 1997 as a patrol officer.  After serving one year in Molokai, he was assigned to Lahaina Patrol for the next four years where he became a member of the Special Response Team and a Field Training Officer.  In 2001 he transferred to the Vice Narcotics Division.  Sergeant Esperanza will be assigned to Molokai Patrol District.

Sergeant Nelson Hamilton, moved to the island of Maui to join the Police Department in 1998.  He began his patrol duties in Wailuku, and in 1999 was assigned to the District of Lanai where he took up an interest in Narcotics investigations.  He has been the senior officer for majority of the search warrants served on the island of Lanai.  He will serve the first year of his new assignment in the District of Molokai.

MPD enforcement nets 350 speeding citations

May 14th, 2010 by MauiNOW staff

By Wendy Osher

Maui Police issued an estimated 350 speeding citations during a three-day enforcement effort on Maui roads this week.  On Tuesday and Wednesday, the effort was focused on major highways including Mokulele, Kuihelani, Hana and the Honoapiilani Highway.  Then on Thursday officers ventured into secondary roadways where complaints had surfaced from residents during town hall meetings hosted by Chief Gary Yabuta late last year.  Enforcement included monitoring of Eha Street and Waiehu Beach Road from Paukukalo to Waiehu.

Photo by Wendy Osher.

Lt. Michael Kahoohanohano said this year alone at least three of the seven fatalities on Maui County roads were attributed to speeding.  “Because of the last near fatality in Waikapu, we went back to that particular area to make sure people know its 30 mph all through Waikapu town past the Tropical Plantation until the road straightens out,” said Kahooahanohano.

During the Saturday May 8, 2010 incident, two teens suffered critical injuries in a single car crash when the driver lost control and the car overturned before colliding with a ditch.  The incident was reported near mile marker 3 of the Honoapiilani Highway at around 1 o’clock in the morning.

In addition to the speeding citations, Maui police issued an estimated 75-100 other citations for various traffic violations.  At least two arrests were made for excessive speeding in which motorists were cited for going 30 miles per hour beyond the speed limit or at least 81 mph.

Kahoohanohano said the enforcement was something that the department wanted to do because of the recent near fatality, and the complaints received about speeding in particular areas.  The enforcement was held in conjunction with National Police Week, but Kahoohanohano said additional enforcement campaigns will be held in the future.

The fine for a speeding violation is $47 to $57 plus an additional $5 for every mile per hour a driver is clocked going over the speed limit.  An excessive speeding citation carries much steeper penalties with increased penalties for a repeat offense.

MPD Promotes Delima and Kanaele to Lieutenant

April 22nd, 2010 by MauiNOW staff

Maui Police Chief Gary Yabuta today announced the promotion of two members to the rank of Lieutenant.

MPD's Peter Delima promoted to Lt. Photo courtesy MPD.

Sergeant Peter Delima of the Wailuku Patrol School Resource Officer Program will be assigned as the District Commander of the Lanai Patrol District under his new post as Liutenant.  Delima is a 25-year veteran with the department.

He began his career with the Maui Police Department as a patrol officer in Wailuku Patrol, Molokai Patrol and Lahaina District.  He was assigned to the Criminal Intelligence Unit, where he served 5 years.  Following his promotion to the rank of Sergeant on January 1, 1995, he was assigned to the Criminal Investigation Division, Internal Affairs, Vice Division, and lastly the School Resource Officer Program.  He is also the team leader with the Department’s Hostage Negotiating team. Delima is married with two children.

MPD's Leighton Kanaele was promoted to the rank of Lt. Photo courtesy MPD.

Sergeant Leighton Kanaele of the Plans Training, Research, and Development Section was also promoted.  The Maui native and 24-year veteran of the department will be assigned as a Lieutenant of the Molokai Patrol District.

Kanaele joined the Department in 1986 and was assigned as a Patrol Officer in Wailuku and transferred to the Traffic Section in 1992 where he works in the D.U.I. Task Force and served as a Traffic Accident Investigative Specialist.  Following his promotion to the rank of Sergeant in 2001 he served 8 years and 9 months in the Plans, Training, Research, and Development Section.  Kanaele is an instructor for the Department’s Laser Certification, Firearms, and Emergency Vehicle Operations Course.

Both promotions took effect on April 16, 2010.

(Posted by Wendy Osher; Supporting information courtesy MPD)

MPD Budget Calls for Furloughs and Position Freeze

March 31st, 2010 by MauiNOW staff

By Wendy Osher

SLIGHT INCREASE AIMED AT COVERING COLLECTIVE BARGAINING RAISES

The Maui Police Department presented its 2011 budget request before the council’s budget and finance committee today.  The Department is seeking an increase of about $300,000 in part to cover the 6% pay raise sworn officers are entitled to under the last year of a 4-year collective bargaining contract.  The contract also calls for a 4% step movement for about a third of the department’s 368 sworn personnel. 

FURLOUGHS Expected to impact Dispatch most

The Police department budget also calls for furloughs of HGEA and UPW employees excluding civilians, the chief and the deputy, resulting in an estimated $271,600 in savings.  Maui Police Chief Gary Yabuta said that breaks down to about $34,000 for administration, $36,000 for investigative services, $44,000 for uniform services, and $157,000 for support services.

“Out of this furlough program, we’re looking at about $75,300 for communications staff,” said Chief Yabuta.  “This is going to be the biggest impact with the furlough program because our dispatchers and communications section—to take them out of the program resulting from a furlough—would  definitely impact our ability to respond to 9-1-1 calls and calls for service,” said Chief Yabuta.

FREEZE ON 54 POSITIONS

The department is also proposing to freeze 47 sworn positions for six months, and seven civilian positions for the entire 2011 fiscal year.  Chief Yabuta said the move is expected to save the department $1.8 million.

OVERTIME BUDGET – FLAT

In all, the MPD is asking for $35.6 million in salaries for FY2011, compared to $35.29 in FY2010.

The Police Department’s overtime budget remains flat in 2011 at $4.9 million. But Chief Yabuta called the figure “a little bit unrealistic” because of the raises guaranteed under collective bargaining.

OPERATIONS BUDGET – FLAT

The MPD Operations Budget proposal is flat at $7,968,047 compared to he previous 2010 fiscal year.

EQUIPMENT BUDGET

The Maui Police Department is asking for $931,000 for its equipment budget, down from the $948,000 the department sought in the current fiscal year.  The figure includes 18 patrol vehicles at $47,000 each, 20 tasers at $1,000 each, 70 ballistic vests at $500 each, and a single culpascope at $15,000 to replace a technologically out of date device that was donated to the department 15 years ago.  The device is used by hospital staff when validating trauma in a sex assault victim.