Four Big Island officers honored for decisive work in first quarter cases

A stolen pickup was back in its owner’s hands within 10 hours, a hit-and-run suspect was tracked down after a serious injury crash in Hilo, and an elderly victim’s missing debit card led to $780 in unauthorized charges. Those were the kinds of decisive cases that put four Hawaii Police Department officers in the spotlight at an April 23 luncheon in Hilo.

The Aloha Exchange Club of East Hawaii used the luncheon to present its January, February and March 2026 Officer(s) of the Month honors, recognizing separate incidents from the first quarter that showed quick action and follow-through on Hawaii Island. The awards went to Calvin Furtado, Josiah Loving, Victor McLellan and Jared-Taylor Makaweo-Quihano.

Furtado, a six-year veteran assigned to the Puna District, was honored for an early morning stop on Jan. 20. He spotted a pickup truck that matched the description of a vehicle reported stolen just hours earlier. When he tried to stop it, the driver ran, but Furtado pursued and apprehended him. Further investigation turned up methamphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia. The suspect was charged with first-degree theft, unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle, promoting a dangerous drug and promoting a detrimental drug, and bail was set at $21,000. The pickup was returned to its owner within 10 hours of being reported stolen.

Loving and McLellan were recognized for their response to a Feb. 15 hit-and-run at Kanoelehua Avenue and Pūainakō Street in Hilo that injured a visiting family from Washington state, including a 15-year-old passenger who suffered a serious injury. Loving treated the injured victims while McLellan used an automated cellphone crash alert and department resources to track down the fleeing driver. The two coordinated with Puna Patrol officers to locate and arrest the suspect, then helped the family secure temporary lodging and transportation after their rental vehicle was disabled. Loving later gathered additional evidence that led to seven charges against the suspect.

Makaweo-Quihano, a five-year veteran assigned to the Puna District, was named March officer of the month for a financial crime case involving an elderly victim. The case began with a missing debit card and unauthorized transactions totaling $780 during the victim’s hospital stay.

Together, the cases showed how policing on Hawaii Island often hinges on patrol awareness, fast coordination and careful investigative work after the immediate danger has passed.