Two Hawaiʻi County officers indicted over alleged evidence tampering, perjury

Two officers with the Hawaiʻi County Police Department were arrested Jan. 13 after the state Attorney General’s office filed indictments alleging perjury, false swearing and tampering with evidence. Officers Blane Kenolio and Noah Serrao were released on their own recognizance and reassigned from patrol duties as criminal proceedings move forward.

Serrao faces charges of perjury, false swearing in official matters and tampering with a government record. Charging documents allege he made false statements under oath about an arrest that involved a zippered bag purported to contain methamphetamine and a glass pipe. Prosecutors state there was no warrant for that arrest. Kenolio is charged with tampering with physical evidence. The indictment accuses him of intentionally destroying, concealing or altering the contents of a Louis Vuitton bag with the intent to impair its verity in a pending or prospective official proceeding.

The indictments were brought by Attorney General Anne Lopez’s office. Interim Hawaiʻi Police Chief Reed Mahuna acknowledged the difficulty of investigating police misconduct and thanked the Attorney General’s Office for pursuing the case. Both officers had previously been disciplined internally and were listed in the Hawaiʻi County Police Department’s 2024 Legislature disciplinary report: Serrao received a 50-day suspension and Kenolio a 24-day suspension.

For residents across Hilo, Kona and rural districts, the arrests raise immediate questions about case integrity and day-to-day policing. The reassignment from patrol reduces visibility of the named officers on neighborhood beats while courts and internal reviews proceed. Prosecutors and defense attorneys will determine what impact, if any, the alleged misconduct might have on related arrests or pending cases where the officers were involved.

The situation also underscores broader concerns about transparency and accountability for local law enforcement. Community members who follow court calendars or police commission meetings can expect updates as the indictment moves through the system. The county police department will handle staffing to maintain patrol coverage during this period; any localized changes to response patterns are likely to be managed through shift adjustments rather than sudden gaps in service.

The takeaway? Stay informed and engaged. Follow public notices from the Attorney General’s Office and Hawaiʻi County Police Department, and bring specific concerns to community meetings so your voice is part of the local conversation about policing and accountability. Our two cents? Vigilant, informed residents make for safer neighborhoods and a stronger system of justice.