Our Team

Reed K. Mahuna

Chief Reed K. Mahuna was sworn in on February 20, 2026, as the 13th police chief in the history of the Hawaiʻi Police Department. He was named conditional police chief by the Hawaiʻi County Police Commission on January 30, 2026, and his appointment was confirmed on the day of his swearing-in.

A 28-year veteran of the department, Mahuna previously served as interim police chief beginning September 1, 2025, following the retirement of Chief Benjamin Moszkowicz. Prior to that, he was appointed acting deputy chief on July 1, 2023, sworn in as deputy chief on January 12, 2024, and permanently appointed effective January 16, 2024.

Before joining the department’s executive leadership, Mahuna served as major of Area I Operations, where he oversaw the Criminal Investigation Division, including Vice, Juvenile Aid, the Criminal Investigation Sections, and the Crime Lab. He also served as major of the Technical Services Division, supervising the Communications Dispatch Center, Communications Maintenance Section, Computer Center, Records and Identification Section, and Traffic Services Section.

Throughout his career, Mahuna has held a wide range of assignments across the island, including police officer and field training officer in South Hilo, traffic enforcement officer, detective in both Area I and Area II, lieutenant in Puna and Area I Vice, and captain of the Area II Criminal Investigation Division, Hāmākua and South Hilo districts, and the Area I Criminal Investigation Division.

Mahuna holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in criminology and criminal justice from Lindenwood University, as well as an Associate of Arts degree in liberal arts and an Associate of Science degree in administration of justice from Hawaiʻi Community College.

Sherry Bird

Deputy Police Chief Sherry Bird was confirmed by the Hawai‘i County Police Commission during its monthly meeting in Kona on Friday, March 20, 2026. Her confirmation marks the first time in the department’s 83-year history that a woman has served as deputy chief. She was sworn in immediately following her confirmation.

Bird became the department’s highest-ranking woman in the department’s history when she was promoted to assistant chief of the Administrative Services Bureau in February 2025. In that role she oversees the Special Response Team, Administrative Services Division, Technical Services Division, and the Human Resources and Finance Sections. She previously served as major of the Administrative Services Division, which includes the Training Section, Word Processing Center, and the Accreditation, Safety, and Community Relations sections.

During her 28-year tenure, Bird has also served as major of Area II (Kona) Field Operations Bureau, overseeing West Hawai‘i districts. Her prior assignments include patrol captain for South Kohala, lieutenant in Area II Criminal Investigation Division and Vice, detective in Area II Vice, officer in the Criminal Intelligence Unit, and patrol officer in North Kohala and Kona.