Detective Kohara Receives Haweo Award For His Investigative Prowess

For his investigative prowess and steadfast determination in solving crimes, Area II (Kona) Criminal Investigation Section (CIS) Detective Donovan Kohara received the Haweo Award during a ceremony held at Hawai‘i County Council chambers in Kona on February 20, 2025.

A 19-year veteran of the Hawai’i Police Department, Detective Kohara has worked in Area II CIS since 2018. Despite having had multiple opportunities to transfer closer to home in Area I (east Hawai‘i), he is dedicated to the west Hawai‘i communities he has grown to know and sworn to protect.  

As a senior detective within Area II CIS, Detective Kohara’s diligent and innovative policing has fostered a positive and proactive work environment, while ultimately creating a safer community for all residents. In the past year alone, Detective Kohara has investigated 90 cases covering a wide range of crimes, several of them violent, including homicides, assaults, arson, burglary, theft, and firearm violations. Many of these investigations involved identifying and breaking up rings of habitual felonious offenders.

Detective Kohara is not one to shy away from working in remote districts, where resources are generally less available, to help communities deal with their unique and challenging issues. His ability to develop information and build relationships with community members has clearly helped to positively impact communities historically challenged with crime.

Detective Kohara’s unwavering determination for justice and self-sacrifice demonstrates his attitude of not quitting until the job is done. His proactive approach to solving crimes and continuously helping other detectives makes him both valuable to, and appreciated by, his peers. Detective Kohara’s style of working with the community and fellow officers fosters an environment of teamwork to solve high-profile crimes and to work on innovative ideas in preventing opportunities for crime to occur. 

Over the years, Detective Kohara has continuously proven to be an extraordinary investigator and an asset to both the Hawai’i Police Department and the community he serves.