Hawai'i County Police Chief Correa to retire

By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer

Hawai'i County Police Chief James S. Correa yesterday said that he will retire from the police department next month to take a job with another government agency.

Correa, a veteran of more than 27 years in the department, told the Hawai'i County Police Commission of his plans yesterday. His retirement will take effect in mid-August.

Correa declined to name the agency he will be working for and said he is not authorized to announce his new position. The agency will announce his hiring, Correa said.

"I want to thank the members of the public for their support and confidence in the police department," Correa said. "I also want to assure residents that public safety will be maintained during the interim between the time I step down and a new police chief is named."

Assistant Chief Lawrence K. Mahuna, head of the Administrative Services Division, will serve as acting chief until a new chief is appointed by the Hawaii County Police Commission.

The commission appointed Correa as police chief in January 2001 after he had served as acting chief from October 2000 and deputy chief since 1995.

Mayor Harry Kim called Correa "sincere and hard-working" and "aboveboard and open" when Correa was sworn in as chief last year.

Correa graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1971 and attended the University of Hawaii-Hilo for three years.