Inaugural Ka‘ū Officer of the Quarter Honored

Ka‘ū Patrol Officer Paul Wright III was awarded the first-ever “Officer of the Quarter” for Q1 2025 on May 2, 2025, during a ceremony at a restaurant in Ocean View.

Wright, an 11-year law enforcement veteran, has served the Ka‘ū community since May 2022. Though currently residing in the Hilo area, his family is from Ka‘ū.

During the awards ceremony, Sergeant Eric Ontiveros highlighted Officer Wright’s recent efforts that resulted in the apprehension of a wanted male fugitive who had been eluding police for six years.

“He is a dependable and extremely capable officer,” said Acting Captain Pernell Hanoa. “In my 20 years of law enforcement, I have not seen many officers as dedicated and/or committed to serving his/her community as Officer Wright. He shows up to work each day with a goal and will do his utmost to accomplish what he has set out to do.”

During the nomination process, Detective Donovan Kohara of the Area II Criminal Investigation Section praised Officer Wright’s commitment to serving the Ka‘ū community and his tenacity in locating wanted individuals.

In his speech at the ceremony, Police Chief Benjamin Moszkowicz congratulated Officer Wright on his accomplishment and touched upon Officer Wright’s upcoming promotion.

Effective May 16, 2025, Officer Wright will transfer to the police department’s Training Section in Hilo where he will be responsible for training and guiding future police recruits.