Seven officers and deputy prosecutor honored by MADD

The Maui News

Seven Maui Police Department officers and a deputy prosecutor were recognized for their efforts in fighting impaired driving at a ceremony Monday in Kihei.

The Toyota Hawaii and Mothers Against Drunk Driving Hawaii awards went to:

• Officer Jun Hattori, a member of the police Vehicle Homicide Unit and former member of the DUI Task Force. He apprehended 25 impaired drivers in 2018, in addition to his other responsibilities.

• Lahaina patrol officer Joshua Kalb, who made 19 impaired driving arrests, resulting in 14 convictions, and assisted in numerous other impaired driving arrests. He was trained in Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement in 2014 and has applied those skills on drunken and drugged driving investigations, all done while assigned to normal patrol duties.

• Officer Stephen Kelly, the newest member of the DUI Task Force. In six months during 2018, he apprehended 80 impaired drivers.

• Wailuku patrol officer Mary Rose Reiner, who has been an MPD officer for three years. She made eight DUI arrests in 2018. Those arrests also produced one drug case, one endangering the welfare of a minor case and multiple citations for no insurance and traffic violations, all while assigned to her normal patrol duties.

• Officer James Taylor, a veteran DUI Task Force officer. He attended several weeks of training in 2018 and still apprehended over 105 impaired drivers.

• Officer Jason Thompson, who was a school resource officer at elementary, middle and high schools, before becoming a member of the DUI Task Force in July. He has apprehended 40 impaired drivers.

• Officer Aaron Williams, a former paramedic who was credited with identifying impaired drivers often overlooked by others. Williams assists with police recruit DUI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Test training and maintains an instructor-level certification as a drug recognition expert. He apprehended over 25 impaired drivers.

Police Chief Tivoli Faaumu said the three DUI Task Force officers are responsible for about half of all DUI arrests in the county.

"All volunteered for this dangerous, but crucial assignment and work five nights a week from 6:30 p.m. to the early-morning hours of the following day and also work every holiday -- it speaks for their dedication to the safety of our community," Faaumu said.

• Deputy Prosecutor Richelle Kawasaki, who has been with the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney since Feb. 16, 2017. She was described as "a compassionate and respectful prosecutor" who regularly works long hours, often on weekends, to review and prepare her cases.

The award presentation occurred as drugged driving is an increasing problem in the state, according to a news release. It said preliminary data show that 2018 traffic deaths involving drugs exceeded those involving alcohol by a significant number.