Reed Mahuna, the Deputy Chief of the Hawaiʻi Island Police Department for 28 years, has been appointed as the interim police chief, effective September 1. His appointment comes as the Hawai’i County Police Commission begins the search for a permanent chief following the resignation of Ben Moszkowicz.
During a police commission meeting, Mahuna was appointed with a 6-2 vote, despite some opposition wanting a broader selection process. Mahuna expressed his appreciation for the support and assured the commissioners, “I will not let any of you down in this temporary capacity.”
Moszkowicz, who was in charge since December 2022, submitted a resignation letter on June 4, intending to accept an interim position with the Honolulu Police Department. However, he retracted the resignation on the same day, raising concerns about his dedication to the Big Island.
Mahuna, who has held various leadership positions within the department, including overseeing criminal investigations and technical services, emphasized the importance of strong community relations. He acknowledged the concerns raised during the commission meeting about the department’s collaborations with federal immigration authorities, including ICE and Homeland Security Investigations. Community feedback called for a new chief to prioritize protecting local residents above collaboration with federal agencies.
Moszkowicz had previously clarified that while the department has memorandums of understanding with federal agencies for specific investigations, there are no agreements permitting civil immigration enforcement.
As Mahuna steps into this interim role, he aims to engage with the community, rebuild trust, and address the concerns voiced during the commission meeting. He stated that he intends to apply for the permanent chief position once it becomes available.
The Hawai‘i Police Commission will reconvene on August 22 to discuss further steps in the search for a new permanent chief, with Mahuna committed to fostering positive relationships within the community during his interim tenure.