Hawaiʻi Island – In recognition of her exceptional investigative skills, South Hilo Patrol Officer Makena Nahooikaika was honored as the Aloha Exchange Club of East Hawaiʻi’s Officer of the Month for April 2025. Her dedication led to the arrest of a suspect involved in a complex identity theft case with multiple victims.
The case began after a couple reported an unauthorized credit card charge of more than $1,500. Officer Nahooikaika traced the fraudulent transaction to a local medical office employee who had used the card information to pay her rent. Demonstrating remarkable initiative, Officer Nahooikaika returned on her day off to continue her investigation.
Her thorough follow-up work was instrumental in the suspect’s arrest and the identification of at least seven additional potential victims, with over $3,000 in suspected fraudulent activity. The suspect was subsequently charged with multiple offenses, including theft, identity theft, and credit card fraud. A four-year veteran of the department, Officer Nahooikaika was commended for her proactive approach to addressing criminal activity and her strong commitment to the community.