The 79th Recruit Class—(bottom row): Joshua K. Pa, Kelsey K. Kobayashi, Bruce I. M. Parayno, Jensen X. Rodrigues, Chelsey W. Heidenfeldt, Officer Aaron Carvalho (Instructor), Vaughn S. Kelii, Brad L. Resureccion, Branden K. Watanabe, Amy C. Masuyama, (Middle Row): Wyatt K. Kaili-Leong, Peter P. Tourigny, Roland A. Kuamoo, Aaron M. Tanaka, Nicholas C. K. McDaniel, Hanalei S. Pagan (top row): Aaron K. Kaeo, Kelena D. Ho'okano, Keng C. Singleton, Dwayne E. Sluss, Derek Kenison Jr., Jonathan K. Kailiuli, Robert A. K. Ayau, Ernest B. K. Texeira.

MEDIA RELEASE

Members of the Hawai’i Police Department’s 79th Recruit Class were recognized Friday (July 15) during ceremonies held at Nani Mau Gardens in Hilo.

The police recruits, who just completed 5 1/2 months of intensive training, will undergo four months of on-the-job field training with veteran police officers before they are qualified to work alone.

During Friday’s ceremony, class President Peter P. Tourigny said most of the recruits were born and raised on the Big Island but some members traveled from Oahu, Maui and as far as New Hampshire to be here. Prior to entering the Police Department, he said, the recruits worked as school teachers, retail sales associates, farmers, armored truck drivers, college students, personal trainers, loss prevention agent, police dispatcher, corrections officer, former police officer and amateur dancer.

“I challenge each of you to wear your uniform with pride and remember that we are now held to a higher standard of living,” Tourigny said. “We must serve the community in a way that will never disgrace the honor or our badges.”

During the ceremony, three of the recruits received special recognition for their excellence in training. They were Branden K. Watanabe, who excelled in academic training, Vaughn S. Kelii, who excelled in physical fitness training, and Vice President Amy C. Masuyama, who excelled in firearms training.

The other members of the 79th Recruit Class are:

• Robert A. K. Ayau
• Chelsey W. Heidenfeldt (treasurer)
• Kelena D. Ho’okano
• Aaron K. Kaeo
• Wyatt K. Kaili-Leong
• Jonathan K. Kailiuli
• Derek Kenison Jr.
• Kelsey K. Kobayashi
• Roland A. Kuamoo
• Nicholas C. K. McDaniel
• Joshua K. Pa
• Hanalei S. Pagan
• Bruce I. M. Parayno
• Brad L. Resureccion
• Jensen X. Rodrigues
• Keng C. Singleton
• Dwayne E. Sluss
• Aaron M. Tanaka
• Ernest B. K. Texeira.