LIHU'E, Kaua'i — After less than two years as Kaua'i's police chief, Darryl Perry has applied for the Honolulu Police Department's top job, he confirmed to The Advertiser yesterday.

The 59-year-old Kaua'i native served 26 years in the HPD, retiring as a major in charge of the Criminal Investigation Division in 2002.

He was selected as Kaua'i chief in 2007 and many saw Perry's "big department" experience and Kaua'i roots as the perfect combination to restore public faith in the Kaua'i department, which had been rocked by scandal and divisiveness for years.

Applying for the Honolulu job was "a difficult choice," Perry said, because he loves Kaua'i and feels like he is making an impact here.

If selected by the Honolulu Police Commission, Perry said, he would take the job. But if not, he wants to continue as police chief on Kaua'i and hopes the public will support him.

"The rumors I will quit are not true," said Perry, whose $107,335-a-year contract with Kaua'i County runs through Sept. 30, 2010.

"There's been some backlash" on Kaua'i from residents disappointed at his choice, Perry said. "People said, 'I thought you were committed to KPD.' "

As chief, Perry said, he has made the Kaua'i Police Department "more transparent with the community," increased youth programs, upgraded infrastructure, added new officers and stepped up traffic patrols to combat highway fatalities.

"It's been a priority instilling trust back into the department and giving the department hope for a new future and a direction in which to go," he said.

At HPD, where Perry worked under four police chiefs and headed three different divisions, "I believe I can help with developing relationships, not only with the union but other state and federal agencies," he said.

Perry said he believes one challenge for the next Honolulu chief will be the department's response to homelessness.

Kaua'i County councilmen Dickie Chang and Tim Bynum both said they understand Perry's choice to apply for the Honolulu job, but would welcome him staying on Kaua'i.

"He's been a real asset," Bynum said. "Selfishly I hope he stays, but I gotta wish him the best of luck."