Dane K. Oda, a former Kauai Police Department officer and former Kaua‘i terminal manager for stevedore firm McCabe, Hamilton & Renny Co., Ltd., has been named to the board of directors of the Hawaii Paroling Authority by Gov. Linda Lingle.
His appointment is effective immediately, subject to confirmation by the state Senate when it reconvenes in January.
A resident of Lihu‘e, Oda retired from McCabe after 20 years of service, and served for nearly nine years with KPD, rising to the rank of sergeant.
The Hawaii Paroling Authority establishes minimum terms of imprisonment for convicts; grants or denies parole; revokes parole when necessary; and provides supervision of paroled individuals.
The authority also investigates and makes recommendations on applications for gubernatorial pardons.
Oda joins board chair Albert Tufono and Edward M. Slavish, both of O‘ahu, on the three-member panel. The board is administratively attached to the state Department of Public Safety.
A former instructor at Kauai Community College, Oda taught courses in psychology, sociology, police science, and criminal and deviant behavior at the Puhi campus.
He also was a research coordinator for the county prosecutor’s office, and a research assistant with the State Law Enforcement and Juvenile Delinquency Planning Agency.
Oda is past president of Kauai 200, an organization comprised of community leaders who support the KPD and Kauai Fire Department.
He also has served on the county Planning Commission, county Department of Water board of directors, Lihue Credit Union board of directors, State Gang Response Committee, State Crime Commission, and State Maritime Commission.
Oda is also a commissioner with Boy Scout Troop 83, at the Lihue Hongwanji Mission.
He holds both master’s and bachelor’s degrees from the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa.
“The parole board has faced some high-profile challenges in recent months,” said Lingle.
“I’m confident our three new board members will focus on the job before them and carry out their responsibilities fairly, with the utmost integrity, and with an overriding concern for the safety of our community,” Lingle said.
