Posted at 1:11 p.m., Monday, December 23, 2002
Police official in line for public safety job
By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer
The 58-year-old Watarai's HPD career spans 38 years. His appointment to succeed Ted Sakai as director of the state's Department of Public Safety was to be announced at a news conference this afternoon.
In his current role as assistant chief, Watarai oversees the Central Patrol Bureau, which covers the Central Honolulu, Kalihi, East Honolulu and Waikiki police districts as well as the Central Receiving Division. His bureau has about 800 uniformed police officers and civilian employees. The annual working budget for the Central Patrol Bureau is about $41 million.
Before being promoted to assistant chief in March 1999, Watarai commanded the Kalihi patrol district from 1994 to 1999. In 1998, the federal Weed & Seed program was implemented around Mayor Wright Homes and Chinatown. The program received national recognition in 1999 when it was honored with a Housing and Urban Development best practices award.
Watarai has been trained in anti-terrorism tactics and critical incident management.
He graduated from Saint Louis High School, where he played football. Watarai also coached football with Ron and Cal Lee at Kaiser High and St. Louis, respectively.
