Five Maui Police Officers Promoted to Sergeant

Maui Police Department promotions, effective June 16, 2015. Pictured clockwise from top left are: John Akana, Kyle Bishaw-Juario, Matthew Brown, Walter Ahuna and Jonathan Kaneshiro.

By Maui Now Staff

The Maui Police Department announced the promotion of five officers to the rank of Sergeant.  The promotions went into effect on June 16, 2015 and include the following:

John Akana: began his career with the Maui Police Department in 1998. After graduating from the Police Recruit Academy, for a short stint, he was assigned to the Wailuku Patrol District before being assigned to the Hāna Patrol District, where he remained until 2014. He was then transferred to the Kīhei Patrol District as a Community Police Officer.  Akana and his wife Doris have four children, Aulani, Keolani, Chante, Maverick, and five grandchildren.

Jonathan Kaneshiro: started his career with the Maui Police Department in 2001. His first assignment was to the Lahaina Patrol District where he was a patrol officer for nine years. In 2010 he was selected as a member of the DUI Task Force in the Traffic Section. In 2012 he became a member of the Vehicle Homicide Unit in the Traffic Section until his promotion to Sergeant.

Walter Ahuna: is a 13 year veteran of the Maui Police Department. He has served in the Kīhei, Lānaʻi, Hāna, Lahaina and Wailuku Patrol Districts. While in patrol, Ahuna had been a Field Training Officer until being assigned to the Investigative Services Bureau in 2010.

Kyle “Ikaika” Bishaw-Juario: started his career with the Maui Police Department in June 2003. Bishaw-Juario received the M. Cecil “Rusty” Dickson Physical Fitness Award, upon completing the Police Recruit Academy. He was then assigned to Wailuku Patrol District. In January 2006, Bishaw-Juario voluntarily transferred to the Molokaʻi Patrol District to work in the community where he grew up.  During his career, Bishaw-Juario has received numerous commendations and recognitions for outstanding police work assisting others in need. In 2011, Bishaw-Juario received the Silver Medal of Valor for risking his life to stop a runaway vehicle. In November 2014, police say Bishaw-Juario saved a man’s life when he coded by hooking him up to an AED. Bishaw-Juario aslo volunteers his time in the community to assist with events spearheaded by his church and his children’s school. He has also been a canoe paddling coach for five years. Bishaw-Juario is married to Kananikala Bishaw-Juario and they have three children, a son, Nathan and two daughters, Alexis and Avery.

Matthew Brown: began his career with the Maui Police Department in 2005. After graduating from the Police Recruit Academy, he was assigned to the Lahaina Patrol District where he worked for seven years. While in Lahaina he served as a Field Training Officer. In 2012 Brown transferred to the Juvenile Division as an investigator. Brown has also served as a member of the Special Response Team since 2008, as well as an Instructor for Officer Safety, Active Shooter, and Taser use.