Off-duty Kauai dispatcher saves injured motorcyclist after Wailua crash

Stephanie Neher was off duty when she came upon the aftermath of a serious March 16 crash in Wailua and stepped straight into lifesaving work. At about 5:50 a.m. at Kūhiō Highway and Kuamoo Road, an electric motorcycle and an SUV collided, leaving the motorcyclist with serious injuries and a trip to Oahu for further care. Neher rendered aid and performed CPR until emergency medical personnel arrived, giving the injured rider the critical support that can mean the difference between survival and tragedy.

The Kauai Police Department named Neher its April Employee of the Month in recognition of that response, which it highlighted in an official release dated April 24. The department also noted that after the crash, Neher still reported for her scheduled shift and continued working professionally despite what she had witnessed earlier that morning. In a place like Kauai, where help may be minutes away and every minute matters, the story is a reminder that the first responder at a crash scene is not always wearing a uniform.

Chief Rudy Tai praised Neher during the Kauai Police Commission meeting, saying she went above and beyond the call of duty and directly contributed to saving a life. He described her as a role model for future dispatchers. Tai had only recently taken the helm of the department, after being appointed by the commission in February and beginning his tenure in March.

The recognition also landed alongside a practical reminder about how the department functions and how residents can plug into it. The Kauai Police Commission meets on the fourth Friday of each month at 9 a.m. in the Moikeha Meeting Room 2A/2B in Līhue, where KPD leadership and public-safety issues come before commissioners. The crash that brought Neher’s actions into focus happened on one of the island’s most heavily used corridors, underscoring how quickly a routine commute route in Wailua can turn into an emergency.

KPD’s recruiting notice tied to the release said officer salaries range from about $79,000 to more than $118,000, with benefits. Applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent, a valid driver’s license, be at least 20 years old, and have no misdemeanor, felony or domestic-violence convictions.