THE CARROLL COX SHOW

 

 

 

 

 

DLNR "RESPONSE" TO QUESTIONS

Regarding DLNR Officer's Death

In descending date order:


 

From: DLNR@hawaii.gov
Date: December 27, 2012 5:28:24 PM HST
To: <
carroll@carrollcox.com>
Subject:
Re: request for information on Mr. Mark Mahuna (DLNR Officer Island of Hawaii)

Carroll,
Our response remains the same.

Sincerely,
Department of Land and Natural Resources
Public Information Office
Honolulu, HI 96813
Phone: (808) 587-0320
Fax: (808) 587-0390




 

 

To

dlnr@hawaii.gov, news@kitv.com, editor@staradvertiser.com, news@khon2.com,
cc
"Brenda Salgado" <bsalgado@hawaiinewsnow.com>, news@hawanewsnow.com
Subject
request for information on Mr. Mark Mahuna (DLNR Officer Island of Hawaii)




12/18/12

 
Mr. William Aila, Chairperson
Department of Land and Natural Resources
 
Re: Information request for Mr. Mark Mahuna
 
I am trying to remain respectful to the sensitive nature of this incident. However, this is a serious event involving a public servant. If DOCARE is a legitimate law enforcement agency it stands to reason that you would provide some basic initial information to be made available to the public upon request. This is critical so that mis-information does not spread throughout the coconut wireless.  The proper thing to do would be to have your PIO make an official statement in collaboration with HPD and provide us with basic facts that do not compromise the investigation and are not sensitive with regard to the officer's family. I remind you that DOCARE officers serve in a public safety and public trust position. We, the public, deserve more from DLNR than just a hot potato toss to another law enforcement agency conducting the investigation. What is DLNR and DOCARE's official statement on this matter?
 
I would like the following questions officially answered:
 
I understand that the incident and alleged death involving Hawaii Branch DOCARE Officer Mark Mahuna is being investigated by the Hawaii PD. However, is the DLNR or the DOCARE conducting an internal investigation as well?

 
What about the AG's office, are they investigating? Did the incident occur on State owned property as alleged? If so what is your normal investigative protocol for something like this? Did this incident occur while the officer was on or off duty?  Did the incident involve the officers service issued weapon?
 
What type of psychological evaluation and screening is performed at the initial hire of a DOCARE officer? My sources tell me none. Is this true?

What type of annual or semi-annual medical screening is performed on DOCARE officers? My sources tell me none. Is this true?

What type of critical incident stress management services such as counseling, debrief and peer support are available to DOCARE officers exposed to a stressful or traumatic event? My sources tell me there is none. This is an extremely substandard practice for any law enforcement agency if this is actually true.
 
 

Does the DOCARE have a critical incident stress management policy or procedure in place? My sources tell me no. Is this true?

Does the DOCARE have an internal affairs policy and procedure in place? My sources tell me no. Is this true?
 
I am enclosing my original email to you as well as subsequent ones to the Hawaii Police Department and their response.   With the utmost respect, I plead with and encourage you to revisit your handling of this matter.  Mr. Mahuna and the public deserve a respectable treatment of this matter.  We are informed that no formal internal statement to the DLNR personnel has been made. Is this true?

Carroll Cox



Dear Mr. Cox,
We are referring you to Hawaii County Police Department with regards to your questions as they are investigating the incident.

No statement is planned pending completion of the investigation.

Sincerely,
Department of Land and Natural Resources
Public Information Office
Honolulu, HI 96813




Subject:
RE: [FWD: Re: Questions regarding Officer Mark Mahuna.]
 
From:
"Chris Loos" <cloos@co.hawaii.hi.us>
To:
<carroll@carrollcox.com>


Aloha, Carroll.
 
I looked into this and I learned that the matter is still actively being investigated, so we can’t comment about it. It is classified as a coroner’s inquest under report number C12033229.
 
Chris Loos
Media Relations
Hawai‘i Police Department
(808) 961-8875


 
To
"dlnr@hawaii.gov" <dlnr@hawaii.gov>,
cc
Carroll Cox <carroll@carrollcox.com>
Subject
Questions regarding Officer Mark Mahuna.

 


12/17/12

Mr. William Aila,  Chairman
Department of Land and Natural Resources



The purpose of this letter is to ask your assistance in obtaining information related to an anonymous and unconfirmed report that Conservation and Resources officer Mark Mahuna recently passed.

The report to "THE CARROLL COX SHOW" claims that some time last week officer Mahuna's body was discovered by a fellow DoCARE Officer.  It appears that Mr. Mahuna had died from a self inflicted gunshot wound with his official issued service weapon.

We understand subjects such as these are very sensitive and has to to be treated with sensitivity to protect and respect the families impacted.  Keeping this in mind, I respectfully submit the following questions:

Is Mr. Mahuna deceased?  If yes, when did he die?  Was he on official duty at the time of the incident?

Did he die from a gunshot wound?

Did another officer discover him?  If yes, when and where was Mr. Mahuna's body found?

If it is true that Mr. Mahuna is deceased, will you be making a formal statement to the public?  If yes, when?  Please provide a copy of any formal statement you release to the public on this subject.

Again, thank you for taking the time to respond and answer my questions regarding this sensitive subject.

Thank you,

Carroll Cox

 

 

 


   
   
 

 

   
 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
     

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