Latest news with #Kauaʻi
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Kauaʻi police officers ready to move forward as Chief finally announces retirement date
HONOLULU (KHON2) — After months of uncertainty, the future is starting to become clearer for the Kauaʻi Police Department. The chief of police finally announced his retirement date, which officers say will allow for a much-needed reboot of the department. Former Honolulu police chief returns to Hawaii In a letter to the Kauaʻi Police Commission, Chief Todd Raybuck said he's retiring on June 12. He first announced he was leaving back in November. 'It's something we've been talking about for more than a year now is that this department really needs a complete refresh to start back over to build up what it's lost over the last couple of years,' said Dustin Derollo, SHOPO attorney. Raybuck was sworn in as Kauaʻi's top cop in 2019. In 2021, he was disciplined for violating the county's policy against discrimination after comments he made at work. Last year, he was suspended for three days after he left his gun in a station bathroom Check out more news from around Hawaii A department survey found issues with his leadership style, which caused a lack of trust among officers. Union leaders preferred Raybuck to leave when he made the announcement, so the department could start looking to the future. 'Everybody's been unable to do that,' said Derollo. 'You know, it's kind of been I don't even want to say a holding pattern. It's like going in slow motion, but doing so very carefully because you don't know where danger lies ahead.' The department says Raybuck gave the commission advance notice of his retirement, 'allowing them the time necessary to begin the important process of selecting the next chief.' Raybuck will officially transfer his command to Interim Chief Kalani Ke on June 12. The job opening was recently posted and will be open for a little over a month. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news Whoever the next chief is, officers say they just want someone who'll listen to their concerns and be accountable. 'And they want to be inspired,' said Derollo. 'They want to see that they can start over. They want to be part of the solution of rebuilding the department that they know that they are.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Lawmakers want changes in HTA as new board members confirmed
HONOLULU (KHON2) — The two newest members of the Hawaii Tourism Authority board were officially confirmed by a Senate committee on April 1. But lawmakers first demanded some changes throughout the entire organization. Lawmakers made their expectations clear — they want active members for the Hawaii Tourism Authority's Board of Directors. Two Kauaʻi minors detained in connection to various crimes 'I will read the minutes, I will watch the hearings, and if you're rubber stamping stuff and you don't discuss, you don't bring up issues, you don't about, and then you just vote without any of that kind of dialogue going on, then something's wrong,' said Sen. Donna Kim of the Economic Development and Tourism Committee. The Senate's committee on Economic Development and Tourism confirmed the board's two newest members — former councilmember Todd Apo, and Roberts Hawaii CEO Roy Pfund. Apo was just voted as board chair last week during what he admits is a 'time of transition' for HTA. Former Chair Mufi Hannemann resigned after a state audit questioned discounted services at the Hawaii Convention Center involving two nonprofits he runs. No fraud was found. Interim CEO Daniel Nahoopii resigned two weeks ago and had harsh criticism for HTA. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news 'He says here quote it is deeply troubling that instead of empowering HTA's leadership to drive meaningful change, political maneuvering and external influences have created an environment of uncertainty and hesitation and at times outright hostility,' said Sen. Glenn Wakai, the Economic Development and Tourism committee vice-chair. 'My first step from a board chair's standpoint, is to sit down with leadership and understand that first,' said Todd Apo, Hawaii Tourism Authority Board chair. 'I'm also going to the staff meeting this week to address the staff. And let them know that, although I'm not gonna get involved in their work, as a board chair side, I'm open to hearing from them.' Both Apo and Pfund were appointed to the board last says the lack of a permanent CEO is partly due to the fact that HTA falls under the state's Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. So it's been challenging to get the approvals for a proper compensation package. 'The fact that we don't have a CEO rests with the board,' Kim said. 'This is like, what comes first, the chicken or the egg. And I know I've been saying, when is the board going to select a new CEO.' HTA's Director of Planning Caroline Anderson is now serving as interim CEO. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
