LIHU‘E — Serenity Kalama, the sole female in the 99th Recruit Class, said she highly recommends anyone to join the Kaua‘i Police Department (KPD).
“If you have any questions, join first,” Kalama said during the graduation of the 99th Recruit Class, which took place on Thursday at Kaua‘i Veterans Center.
Kalama was joined by other graduates Logan Gibson, Daylin Huni, Vaughn Nebre and Kalani Scanlan in celebrating the successful completion of the police training that started in July. The graduation also included graduates receiving their badges symbolizing their inclusion into the Kaua‘i Police Department.
“After completing the required entry level testing, which consists of passing a written exam, an agility test, an extensive background and psychological testing, these five individuals who were virtual strangers to each other, assembled on July 3, 2023,” said Acting Lt. Matthew Tavares, who emceeded the proceedings leading to the pinning of the badges and oath of office.
“This was the start of 23 weeks of intensive police officer recruit training that ends with today’s graduation. Starting tomorrow, each of these recruits will be assigned to a field training officer and start training in the field.”
Acting Lt. Alan Santella, the veteran of teaching 20 recruit classes, presented the 99th Recruit Class special awards including marksmanship, physical educatio, and most outstanding recruit that went to Kalama. Marksmanship honors belonged to Huni. Scanlan, who moved to Kaua‘i during the COVID-19 pandemic, received the physical fitness honor.
Kalama was born and raised on Kaua‘i, graduating from Kaua‘i High School. Following her graduation, she gained expertence working in sales, marketing, serving at various restaurants, caregiving and tattooing. Prior to joining KPD, Kalama was a stay-at-home mom and running a small business.
Scanlan was born and raised on O‘ahu, a graduate of Castle High School. Following his graduation from high school, Scanlan joined the Hawai‘i Army National Guard, where he has been serving as a combat engineer for seven years.
In 2020, he was assigned to assist with the COVID-19 relief mission, here which is where he met his fiance and decided to move to the island. Prior to joining the KPD, Scanlan was working for the Sheraton Kaua‘i Coconut Beach Resort as a security supervisor.
Huni was born and raised on Kaua‘i, graduating from Kaua‘i High School. Following graduation, Huni worked at many jobs, but always wanted to have some sort of security position. He started his security journey as a bouncer in Portland, Oregon, before moving back to Kaua‘i to pursue contract security at the Pacific Missile Range Facility at Mana.
He became a father to Vaea, and as a new father, Huni felt he should protect his son at all costs. Just by luck, Huni saw KPD was hiring and decided to take that chance. That chance became his new reality.
Nebre was raised on Kaua‘i, graduating from Kapa‘a High School. Prior to joining the KPD, Nebre worked in the hospitality industry for 14 years as a server, security officer, front office manager and as a landscape maintenance crew lead.
Gibson was born and raised on Kaua‘i, and graduated from Kamehameha Schools-Kapalama. Following high school, Gibson attended the Kaua‘i Community College and earned an associate’s degree in liberal arts. Prior to joining the Kaua‘i Police Department, Gibson worked as a bartender at Duke’s Canoe Club.
Following the congratulations bestowed on the five new additions to the KPD by Chief Todd Raybuck, Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami, Gov. Josh Green through his Kaua‘i field representative Dana Hazelton, and other dignitaries, Huni said, “Congratulations, Recruit Class 99, we did it! See you all out in the field.”
