Hawaii Police Department
Office of the Chief
Lawrence K. Mahuna
Phone: 961-2244
September 28, 2007
(Select photo for larger image.) 
Hawaii Police Department 71st Recruit Class:
(from left) Joseph E.M. Epino, Patrick M.D. Aurello,
Kayla K. Kahuli, Eddie Cardines Jr., Clark E. Hutton Jr.,
Wayne J. Kenison, Benny A. Ruffolo Jr., Eric M. Uehana,
Brant N. Powers, and Oliver D. Agustin.
Media Release
Eleven members of the Hawaii Police Department’s 71st Recruit Class were recognized Friday (September 28) during ceremonies held at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel.
The police recruits, who underwent five-and-a-half months of intensive training, will now undergo three-and-a-half more months of on-the-job field training with veteran police officers before they are qualified to work alone.
During Friday’s luncheon ceremony, Hawaii County Councilman Donald Ikeda congratulated the recruits and thanked them for helping to fill vacancies in the Police Department. "We have had a shortage for a long time," he said.
Wayne Kenison, the recruit class president, said the classmates came from different backgrounds and experiences. "We all had one thing in common: the desire to become Hawaii County police officers," he said. "We became lifelong friends and a part of a family that will be with us for the rest of our lives."
Chief Lawrence Mahuna asked the recruits’ families to be understanding when their loved ones come home from work after experiencing something tragic. "Every day there’s something new that happens," he said. "Every day they need your support."
Mayor Harry Kim, the keynote speaker, said it was a "great day" for the recruits and their supporters. "We are so very proud of you to take this job," he said.
Kim turned to the officers seated to his left and said police work is something he could never do because of the "ugliness" officers have to see on the job. "On behalf of the people of Hawaii County, we thank you for sitting there, we thank you for taking this job and we will always thank you for being there," Kim said.
Three of the recruits received special recognition for their excellence in training. They were Class Vice President Benny A. Ruffolo Jr., who excelled in academic training; Eric M. Uehana Jr., who excelled in firearms training; and Patrick M. D. Aurello, who excelled in physical fitness training.
The other recruits recognized were Oliver D. Agustin, Eddie Cardines Jr., Joseph E.M. Epino, Clark E. Hutton Jr., Kayla K. Kahuli, Brant N. Powers and Sheldon L.B. Salmo.
