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DLNR "RESPONSE" TO QUESTIONS
Regarding DLNR Officer's Death
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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
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
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Subject:
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RE: [FWD: Re: Questions regarding
Officer Mark Mahuna.] |
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From:
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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 |
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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