Hawaii Police Department Detective David Po‘ohina was named Top Cop 2025 of Hawaii Island for his exceptional investigative work that led to the resolution of two major violent crime cases in Hilo.
Po‘ohina was recognized by Top Cop Hawaii, a nonprofit law enforcement and security organization, during a ceremony on Friday, Oct. 17, in Honolulu.
A 12-year veteran of HPD, Po‘ohina currently serves with the Area I Criminal Investigation Section where he has worked since November 2023. During that time, Po‘ohina “has demonstrated outstanding diligence, attention to detail, and perseverance in solving complex cases,” according to an HPD news release.
In January, Po‘ohina was assigned to a violent home invasion robbery involving an elderly couple in Hilo. Shortly after midnight, two masked men — one armed with a shotgun and the other with a large ratchet breaker bar — forced entry into the victims’ home, demanding to know the location of a safe. When a caretaker attempted to intervene, the suspects assaulted the caretaker before fleeing the scene.
Over the next several months, Po‘ohina conducted extensive follow-up, interviewing witnesses, reviewing surveillance footage, executing search warrants, and submitting evidence for forensic testing. His persistence led to the identification of a suspect through DNA evidence.
When Po‘ohina learned that the suspect had relocated out of state and was on probation, he continued building the case. Coordinating with authorities, Po‘ohina arrested the suspect upon his return to Hawaii Island in August. The suspect was charged with multiple felonies in connection with the home invasion, with bail set at more than $250,000.
During the course of that investigation, Po‘ohina was also assigned to investigate an unsolved 2022 homicide in Hilo, in which a 62-year-old delivery driver was killed after being struck by a vehicle during an attempted truck theft.
Although no suspects were initially identified, a partial DNA profile was recovered. Based on witness accounts and information obtained in both investigations, Po‘ohina requested comparison DNA testing, which confirmed the same suspect was responsible for both crimes.
Po‘ohina obtained a second arrest warrant, and the suspect was charged in the 2022 homicide case. He is currently being held without bail.
“Detective Po‘ohina’s unwavering dedication to these investigations reflects the professionalism and compassion that define our department,” said Interim Police Chief Reed Mahuna in the news release. “His determination brought accountability for a senseless loss of life and helped deliver justice and peace of mind to another family deeply impacted by violence.”