#John Pelletier

Two Maui men were arrested on eight criminal counts for alleged involvement in labor trafficking and extortion, following the execution of search warrants at a Kīhei residence on Monday, Aug. 10, 2026.

The Maui Police Department is requesting a $12.2 million budget increase next fiscal year, or 11.6% more than this year, to address staffing shortages and modernize public safety technology across Maui County.

DISCLAIMER/GRAPHIC CONTENT: Viewer Discretion is advised due to graphic and violent content. Maui police released body worn camera footage and further details, regarding Thursday night’s deadly shooting in which a suspect was killed during an exchange of gunfire with police in Wailuku. Police have since identified the deceased as 40-year-old Kristopher Austin.

The Hawai‘i Department of the Attorney General is announcing its launch of the Hawaiʻi Crime Dashboard, now available at https://crimestats.hawaii.gov.  The dashboard displays police-level crime statistics produced through Hawaiʻi’s participation in the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program, using data based on National Incident-Based Reporting System standards. The Hawaiʻi Crime Dashboard compiles volumes of complex NIBRS data and allows users […]

Seven-year Maui County Council Member Natalie “Tasha” Kama, who died Sunday night at Maui Memorial Medical Center, has asked fellow council members to appoint Kauanoe Batangan to serve out the remainder of her term. “In her final request to the Maui County Council, she humbly asked that Kauanoe Batangan, an experienced and distinguished public servant, […]

Trained to serve as critical, less-lethal tools for de-escalating dangerous encounters and safely apprehending suspects, the new K-9s will provide the department with an additional option for resolving high-risk incidents, such as locating armed or concealed individuals, reducing the need for lethal force, and minimizing potential harm to both officers and the public.

Maui County Council members have given initial approval to Bill 92, which authorizes the mayor to enter into an agreement with the Federal Bureau of Investigation for Maui County to participate in a Joint Terrorism Task Force, Honolulu Division. Passed Friday, the measure advances to the full Council for second-and-final reading.

Fallen hero, Maui Police Officer, Suzanne O was remembered as compassionate and genuine during a memorial service on Friday at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. The service followed a procession where fellow officers and community members gathered to pay their respects.

The Kula Community Association will host its next general meeting from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Kula Community Center for discussion of issues impacting Upcountry residents. Topics include: “This general meeting is about making sure Kula residents have the information and resources we need to face today’s challenges—whether it’s expanding communications, emergency evacuation, […]

Graphic Warning: This content contains photos, video and personal accounts that may be disturbing, triggering, or too upsetting for some people to engage in. Discretion is advised. Police released body cam footage and supporting material gathered from their investigation into the deadly shooting that claimed the life of beloved Officer Suzanne O.

The Maui Police Department celebrated the arrival of its new multi-mission helicopter, Hekili — meaning “thunder” in Hawaiian, during a blessing ceremony Thursday at the Central Maui Regional Sports Complex. Chief John Pelletier said the August 2023 wildfires showed that the Police Department could no longer rely solely on the Maui Fire Department’s Air 1, which is […]

Attorney General Anne Lopez has received a 10-page letter, with attachments, from Edward Halealoha Ayau who is the attorney representing Maui Police Detective Kamuela Lanakila Mawae. That letter addresses legal concerns regarding the status of Hawaiʻi as an occupied State and potential war crimes being committed by law enforcement officers, according to a news release from Ayau.  

The Maui Police Department has launched its 2025 Citizen Survey in an ongoing effort to strengthen relationships with the community and improve public safety services.

The Maui Police Department’s new helicopter, dubbed “Blue Thunder,” will be operational by this summer, supported by officers on the ground with new portable radios with enhanced capabilities, members of the Maui County Council’s Budget, Finance and Economic Development Committee learned Wednesday. Referring to the helicopter, Police Chief John Pelletier said: “It’s on Maui… It’s […]

After four years at the helm, Chief Pelletier’s tenure is at a pivotal point as the Police Commission considers whether to place him on leave and investigate claims that he was a co-conspirator in a rape orchestrated by rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs in 2018.

Maui Police Chief John Pelletier is strongly denying any involvement after being named as a co-defendant in a civil lawsuit filed by Ashley Parham against rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs.

While Maui County’s mayor has requested Police Chief John Pelletier to be put on administrative leave, the power to hire or remove a police chief rests with the nine-member, volunteer Maui Police Commission.

Maui Police Department spokesperson Alana Pico said: “We are confident that the evidence will demonstrate these claims to be false and will expose those who are deliberately trying to manipulate the legal system to spread misleading narratives.”

A former Maui police officer was arrested Tuesday on a two-count indictment for allegedly using a Taser on a member of the public without apparent legal justification, according to authorities. The indictment against Carlos Frate, 40, of Kīhei, also alleges that he falsified a police incident report with the intent to obstruct the investigation into the use of force.

A Kula man has been arrested in connection with the improvised explosive devices (IEDs) discovered on Aug. 7, 2024, near Kaʻamana Street in Kula. Maui police say Jess Lee, 43, was arrested as a result of a coordinated effort between the MPD and FBI.