Kona Patrol Officer Charles Caldwell-Kaai was named the 2025 Police Officer of the Year by the Kona Crime Prevention Committee. He has served five years, received four KCPC Officer of the Month awards, and earned the Hawai‘i State Law Enforcement Officials Association’s top award in 2020, according to the Hawaiʻi Police Department.
In March 2024, Officer Caldwell-Kaai arrested a suspect wanted for multiple felonies and later stopped a stolen Jeep, leading to another arrest for drug possession, mail theft, and credit card fraud. In May 2024, a traffic stop by Caldwell-Kaai resulted in the seizure of a large amount of illegal drugs and related items in Kona, as reported by the Hawaiʻi Police Department.
Interim Police Chief Reed Mahuna said, "Officer Caldwell-Kaai represents the very best of the Hawai‘i Police Department," and "His sharp instincts, dedication to service, and relentless pursuit of justice have directly made our island community safer." Officer Charles Caldwell-Kaai was named Officer of the Year by the Kona Crime Prevention Committee, which recognizes officers monthly and selects one annual honoree, as stated by the Hawaiʻi Police Department.
