Mayor Meets with New Maui Police Chief to Discuss Priorities

Chief Faaumu and Mayor Arakawa. Courtesy Photo.

By Maui Now Staff

Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa welcomed Maui Police Department Chief Tivoli Faaumu into his office today to congratulate him on his new position that officially began on Monday.

The Maui Police Commission selected Chief Faaumu on Friday to replace Chief Gary Yabuta who retired on July 31, 2014.

“Few things are more important than the health, safety and welfare of our residents and visitors,” said Mayor Arakawa in a press release statement.

“Chief Faaumu is very positive, down-to-earth and wanting to work together to make Maui County an even better place to live and raise our families,” said Mayor Arakawa.

At their meeting, Mayor Arakawa said he and Chief Faaumu shared some of thier immediate goals and agreed to meet again to discuss priorities, concerns and how they can work together to address them.

“There are a lot of important issues to address,” said Faaumu in the joint press release. “For example, the mayor and I agree that an immediate priority is to make our parks such as Kanahā Beach Park and Kalama Park more family-friendly and a better experience for all. We will also be looking at ways that we can work together to better communicate with the public,” he said.

Chief Faaumu is a 29-year police veteran of the department with degrees in administrative justice, business management and a master’s degree in homeland security.  He also is a master sergeant in the US Army Reserve.