Detective Po‘ohina Honored as Hawai‘i Island Top Cop

Top Cop Hawai‘i honored Hawai‘i Police Department Detective David Po‘ohina as Top Cop 2025 of Hawai‘i Island for his exceptional investigative work that led to the successful resolution of two major violent crime cases in Hilo. Po‘ohina was recognized by the non-profit law enforcement and security organization during a ceremony on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, in Honolulu.

A 12-year veteran of the Hawai‘i Police Department, Detective Po‘ohina currently serves with the Area I Criminal Investigation Section where he has worked since November 2023. During that time Po‘ohina has demonstrated outstanding diligence, attention to detail, and perseverance in solving complex cases.

In January 2025, Detective Po‘ohina was assigned to a violent home invasion robbery involving an elderly couple in Hilo. Shortly after midnight, two masked men, one armed with a shotgun and the other with a large ratchet breaker bar, forced entry into the victims’ home, demanding to know the location of a safe. When a caretaker attempted to intervene, the suspects assaulted the caretaker before fleeing the scene.

Over the next several months, Detective Po‘ohina conducted extensive follow-up, interviewing witnesses, reviewing surveillance footage, executing search warrants, and submitting evidence for forensic testing. His persistence led to the identification of a suspect through DNA evidence.

When Detective Po‘ohina learned that the suspect had relocated out of state and was on probation, he continued building the case. Coordinating with authorities, Po‘ohina arrested the suspect upon his return to Hawai‘i Island in August 2025. The suspect was taken into custody without incident and charged with multiple felonies in connection with the home invasion, with bail set at more than $250,000.

During the course of that investigation, Detective Po‘ohina was also assigned to investigate an unsolved 2022 homicide in Hilo, in which a 62-year-old delivery driver was killed after being struck by a vehicle during an attempted truck theft. Although no suspects were initially identified, a partial DNA profile was recovered. Based on witness accounts and a totality of information obtained in both investigations, Detective Po‘ohina requested comparison DNA testing, which confirmed the same suspect was responsible for both crimes.

Following that confirmation, Detective Po‘ohina obtained a second arrest warrant, and the suspect was charged in the 2022 homicide case. He is currently being held without bail.

“Detective Po‘ohina’s unwavering dedication to these investigations reflects the professionalism and compassion that define our department,” said Interim Police Chief Reed Mahuna. “His determination brought accountability for a senseless loss of life and helped deliver justice and peace of mind to another family deeply impacted by violence. His work exemplifies our mission to protect and serve every member of our community.”

Link to media release detailing the suspect being charged: https://www.hawaiipolice.gov/former-hilo-man-arrested-charged-in-connection-with-two-heinous-crimes/.

Pictured left to right: Captain Rio Amon-Wilkins, Detective David Po‘ohina, and Interim Chief Reed Mahuna.