Four Hawaii police officers honored by Kona Crime Prevention Committee : Big Island Now

Four Hawaii Police Department officers were honored by the Kona Crime Prevention Committee for the second quarter of 2024.

Officer Makena Nahooikaika was honored as Officer of the Month for April, Officer Margot Babauta and Officer Curry McFadden in May, and Officer Collin Roberts in June.

April: Officer Makena Nahooikaika
Officer Nahooikaika was recognized for her work investigating a credit card fraud that occurred on New Year’s Day 2024. The detective assigned to the case praised Officer Nahooikaika’s initial investigation for its thoroughness.

Officer Nahooikaika has served with the Kona Patrol since completing field training following the graduation of the department’s 94th recruit class in December 2021, where she served as class treasurer. This is the second time she has been recognized as KCPC’s Officer of the Month, most recently earning the award in November 2023.

May: Officers Margot Babauta and Curry McFadden
Officers Margot Babauta and Curry McFadden were commended for their cooperation during the investigation of a burglary in January of this year.

Officers made an arrest and recovered 40 items with an estimated value of $1,782.82, which were located, secured and returned to the victim.

This is the first time both officers have been nominated for Officer of the Month. Officer Babauta graduated from the 93rd recruit class in February 2021, and Officer McFadden graduated from the 91st recruit class, of which he was class president, in March 2020.

June: Officer Collin Roberts
While on patrol in Kona on the night of February 22, Officer Roberts observed a female suspected of drug distribution driving a vehicle with expired registration.

During a traffic stop for an expired registration, Officer Roberts observed a piece of aluminum foil with a burnt yellow-brown residue and a small jar containing methamphetamine. He then found a baggie of fentanyl.

During the investigation, Area II Vice officers searched the vehicle and found 5.1 grams of powdered fentanyl, 1.4 grams of methamphetamine, and three morphine pills. As the investigation progressed, police learned that the woman had received a Fed-Ex package containing 26.7 grams of powdered fentanyl. Police were able to locate and recover the Fed-Ex package.

Officer Roberts has served on the Kona Patrol since completing field training following his graduation from the department’s 95th recruit class in June 2022, where he served as class president. This is the second time he has been recognized as KCPC’s Officer of the Month, most recently earning the award in October 2023 for his efforts to apprehend off-duty suspects.