Officer Taylor Au Named Ka‘ū Officer of the Quarter

Ka‘ū Patrol Officer Taylor Au was honored as Officer of the Quarter for Q2 2025 during a ceremony in Nā‘ālehu on Monday, August 18, 2025.

Au, a member of the department’s 98^th recruit class, has served the Ka‘ū community since May 2024. A two-year veteran of the department, he has demonstrated an exceptional work ethic, initiative, and commitment to public safety, establishing himself as a dependable and proactive officer.

“Officer Taylor Au is a valued member of our division who continuously seeks to improve himself while making significant contributions to the safety and well-being of our community,” said Acting Captain Pernell Hanoa.

Among Officer Au’s accomplishments is his response on April 19, 2025, to a suspicious vehicle report in the Hawaiian Ocean View Estates subdivision. During his investigation, he located the vehicle’s operator hiding in nearby brush and discovered a loaded firearm under a tree. The suspect was arrested and charged with multiple firearm-related offenses. Thanks to Officer Au’s diligence, an illegal, unregistered firearm was removed from the community and a dangerous offender was held accountable.

On May 5, 2025, Officer Au again distinguished himself when he responded to a dropped 911 call near the 41.5-mile marker on Māmalahoa Highway in Pāhala. There, he encountered a man holding a box cutter to his wrist while speaking with the Veterans Crisis Line. Remaining calm and compassionate, Officer Au established rapport with the individual and persuaded him to surrender the weapon, safely resolving a potentially life-threatening situation.

Without Officer Au’s investigative diligence and compassion, an illegal firearm might still be on the streets, and a life could have been lost. His actions reflect the highest standards of the Hawai‘i Police Department and his commitment to serving the Ka‘ū community.