Hawaii County police officer honored for high-profile arrests

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A Hawaii County police officer was honored for tracking down two armed and dangerous fugitives two days in a row.

Officer Rodney De Lima Jr. was honored Saturday as the Aloha Exchange Club’s Officer of the Year Award.

Last December he arrested 40-year-old Malani Tavui, who was wanted in multiple investigations and later charged with more than 20 offenses.

The next day, De Lima arrested Alexander Kauwe after the 31-year-old led police on chase, and crashed into a tree.

“It definitely felt like I was dreaming at first, but knowing who I had with me at the time, I knew I was safe training with these guys, working side by side with some of these guys,” De Lima said, “I mean, I knew I was safe and was just excited that we got him safely.”

“(The U.S. Marshals Service) flew all the way to the Big Island and they spent a week or so getting everything set up and honing in their sniper rifles, said Hawaii County Police Chief Ben Moszkowicz, ”you know, getting the dogs ready to go, and then one officer, Puna patrol officer put them all out of business.”

De Lima, who grew up in Puna and went to Keaau High School, is six year veteran of the force and hopes to one day become a detective.

Tavui and Kauwe both head to trial next month.

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