Sources: Hawaii Department of Law Enforcement Director steps down

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Amid a slew of controversies, the director of Hawaii’s Department of Law Enforcement is stepping down, and a Honolulu Police Major has accepted the position, HNN Investigates confirmed Tuesday.

Jordon Lowe was appointed to the role in 2020.

He oversaw the split of the Public Safety Department when DLE became its own entity separate from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation in 2024.

In June, a civil lawsuit accused Lowe of ignoring sexual harassment complaints that a sheriff deputy made against former Deputy Director William Oku Junior.

Oku Jr. was accused of making lewd comments about female coworkers and exposing himself on duty in 2022.

When asked for comment on that lawsuit, the DLE declined to respond.

One month later, Lowe confirmed three separate criminal investigations involving nine sheriff deputies were opened; allegations included derogatory comments about gay people and racial harassment.

One of the suspended deputies, Jordan Kagehiro, was found dead weeks later. Multiple reports say DLE supervisors were pressuring the 32-year-old about misconduct investigations.

The DLE has not provided an official reason for Lowe’s resignation.

It’s unclear when HPD Major Mike Lambert could officially take the role of director.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

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