The Aloha Exchange Club of East Hawaii recognized Hawaii Police Department Puna Patrol Officer Rodney De Lima Jr. as 2024 Officer of the Year and Hawaii Fire Department Battalion Chief Patrick Springer as 2024 Firefighter of the Year during a ceremony on March 8 in Hilo.
De Lima was honored for his role in the apprehension of several armed and dangerous fugitives during December 2024. Springer was honored for elevating HFD’s Training Section, which has grown in both size and scope under his leadership.
On Dec. 5, 2024, De Lima located a stolen vehicle at a residence in Leilani Estates. Inside the vehicle, he located a shotgun and 19-year-old Layla Subica, who was arrested without incident.
De Lima recognized Subica as the girlfriend of a wanted fugitive, Malani Tavui, who was known to be armed and dangerous. Coordinating with other officers and the U.S. Marshal Service, De Lima and his fellow officers located Tavui in the house on the property, bringing a months-long manhunt to an end.
The next day, De Lima and a fellow Puna Patrol officer responded to a report a suspicious vehicle parked in Mountain View, with a man sleeping in the driver seat. The man was later identified as 31-year-old Alexander Ikieolagarcia Kauwe of Puna, a wanted fugitive also considered armed and dangerous.
As the two officers arrived in the area and attempted to contact the sleeping Kauwe, he immediately drove off in an attempt to evade officers. The vehicle struck a tree a short distance away and overturned. Kauwe was identified as the driver and was subsequently arrested.
Springer began his career with the Hawaii Fire Department in 2004 and he currently oversees the HFD’s Training Section. He previously served in many different roles, such as firefighter, paramedic, fire equipment operator, fire captain, and battalion chief of emergency operations.
Under his leadership, the Training Section has modernized and enhanced programs such as the firefighter recruit program, fireground operations, the driver improvement program, rescue and hazmat operations, company-level fireground skills for new and veteran firefighters, and command-level training for captains and chief officers.
Additionally, Springer has elevated the credibility of the Training Section by pursuing fire and emergency service instructor certifications for dozens of firefighters.
Through his hard work and dedication – and with the support of the Support Services Section — Springer has secured more than $700,000 in grant and county funding. These funds have allowed HFD to bring nationally recognized training programs directly to Hawaii Island.
