Hawaiʻi State Department of Education

Ka ʻOihana Hoʻonaʻauao o ke Aupuni Hawaiʻi

HPD and HIDOE partner to strengthen school communities

From left to right, Honolulu Police Department Interim Chief Rade Vanic, Kaimukī High School Principal Lorelei Aiwohi, Kapolei High School Principal Wesley Shinkawa, Waiʻanae High School Principal Ray Pikelny-Cook and Superintendent Keith Hayashi after a press conference on Jan. 14. The three schools are participating in a pilot program introducing school resource officers onto their campus.

HONOLULU – The Honolulu Police Department (HPD), in partnership with the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education (HIDOE), will launch Oʻahu’s first School Resource Officer (SRO) pilot program in October at Wai‘anae, Kapolei and Kaimukī high schools.

The initiative builds on successful SRO programs already in place on Maui, Kaua‘i and Hawai‘i Island, where county police and secondary schools have worked together for years to strengthen school communities, provide mentorship and support safe and welcoming campuses.

“For the past couple of years we’ve been in close discussions with HPD leadership about how to make an SRO program possible on Oʻahu,” said Superintendent Keith Hayashi. “Their willingness to think creatively and partner with us has brought this pilot to life. We know from our neighbor island schools that having dedicated SROs on campus helps strengthen the sense of safety and belonging for students, while giving them positive role models who are there to guide, mentor and support.”
HPD leaders echoed a commitment to partnership and community trust.

“As with any pilot program, there will be a process as schools and officers work together to tailor their approach,” said Interim Chief Rade Vanic. “Our goal is to build trust, provide support and create safe learning environments. We’re committed to working with HIDOE and our communities to ensure students see officers as mentors and partners.”

The three schools were selected based on collaboration between HPD and HIDOE.

HPD requested campuses on both the east and west sides of the island, and HIDOE identified the schools best suited to launch the pilot program. Each brings unique opportunities to connect students with law enforcement and community engagement:

  • Kapolei High School has an established career pathway for students interested in pursuing law enforcement careers.
  • Wai‘anae High School is working toward creating its own career pathway, and teachers at both Wai‘anae and Kapolei have participated in HIDOE’s teacher externship program with HPD, which provides hands-on worksite experiences to strengthen educators’ understanding of current industry practices.
  • Kaimukī High School is looking to build out a first responder pathway that will introduce students to careers in police, fire and emergency services.

As part of the program, each participating school will work directly with its assigned SRO team to shape activities that meet the needs of its students and community. While officers will retain law enforcement responsibilities, the program emphasizes relationship-building, mentorship, conflict resolution and collaboration with educators.

Activities may include classroom visits, presentations on student well-being and safety, and support for school and extracurricular programs.

The reserve officers selected for the program have received SRO certification through training modeled after nationally recognized programs with an emphasis on youth development, mentorship and collaboration.

The pilot will run through the 2025–26 school year. At the end of the year, HIDOE and HPD will evaluate the program’s impact, identify any adjustments and explore future funding opportunities.