Ka‘u patrol officer recognized for saving woman’s life

Just seven months after graduating from the Hawaii Police Department’s 93rd recruit class, Ka‘u Patrol Officer Xylon Takata saved the life of an Ocean View woman.

For his quick thinking and actions, Takata was presented the Haweo Award by the County Council’s Parks and Recreation and Public Safety Committee on Sept. 20.

On Sept. 11, 2021, Takata responded to the report of an unconscious woman at a Hawaiian Ocean View Estates subdivision home.

Upon his arrival, Takata found an individual performing CPR on an unconscious 30-year-old woman.

Takata noted the woman was not responding to pain stimuli and her skin tone indicated someone in need of oxygen. He was also informed that the woman may have ingested heroin prior to becoming unresponsive.

Takata quickly ran to his police vehicle, retrieved his issued Naloxone kit, and administered a dose of Naloxone to the victim. Seeing no response, Takata began performing CPR on the woman.

After two minutes, the woman began gasping for air and breathing on her own. She was taken by ambulance to Kona Community Hospital and subsequently made a full recovery.

Takata’s supervisor, Ka‘u Patrol Sgt. Duffy Duldulao, nominated Takata for the award, which recognizes county police and fire department personnel who go above and beyond the call of duty. According to Duldulao, in the brief time Takata has been with the department, he’s established himself as a “go-getter” amongst his peers and is regarded as proactive, dependable, and committed to serving our Big Island community, all the while remaining humble.

“Haweo” means to glow or to be radiant. Takata was presented with a lei and a certificate signed by each councilmember at the ceremony.