Hawai‘i Police Department Receives Lifesaving AED Donations

Hawai‘i Island police officers will be better equipped to respond to cardiac emergencies thanks to a recent donation of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) from the Hilo Benioff Medical Center Foundation and the Max and Yetta Karasik Foundation, represented by Dr. and Mrs. Richard Robbins.

The August 26 donation adds 30 AED units, along with carrying cases, pediatric keys, pads, and accessories, bringing the department’s total to about 70 devices deployed across the island. This lifesaving technology provides critical early intervention during cardiac arrest incidents and can make the difference between life and death.

“There’s no single device our officers can carry that has more impact on saving lives than an AED, and our goal is to equip every patrol officer with one,” said Interim Police Chief Reed Mahuna. “The Hawai‘i Police Department is unique in that each officer uses their own patrol vehicle, which ensures they have all of their equipment with them at all times. By placing an AED in every vehicle, our officers have the ability to respond on or off duty. We would like to thank the Hilo Benioff Medical Center Foundation and the Max and Yetta Karasik Foundation for their generous donation, and we are excited to get these AEDs deployed into the field.”

This marks the third major AED donation to Hawai‘i Police Department from the Hilo Benioff Medical Center Foundation and its partners, following contributions in 2015 and 2020. Together, these donations have provided officers with dozens of AEDs and accessories, enhancing the department’s ability to deliver lifesaving aid in emergencies across Hawai‘i Island.