KAHULUI, HAWAII - At its annual Law Enforcement Awards luncheon on May 23, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) joined with Maui Toyota to honor Maui Police Department officers for the many lives they saved in 2010 by identifying drivers impaired by alcohol or drugs and getting them off the road. Statistics show that more than half of all traffic fatalities in Hawai'i involve alcohol.
Receiving MADD's Individual Award for enforcing impaired driving laws was Officer Sepulona Falealii of the Molokai District. Officer Falealii is also a member of the Hawaii Army National Guard who served two deployments as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Honored with MADD's Unit Award for exceptional achievement was the Vehicle Homicide Unit of Maui County. Sergeant Barry Aoki supervises this investigative unit, which consists of Officers Dukie Racadio, Lawrence Becraft, Duke Pua, Dawn Danley and Gregg Rowe. MADD also recognized Maui police officers who made the most arrests for driving under the influence last year. The honorees are: -- Officer Rod Corso, Wailuku District, 14 arrests;
-- Officers Jeffrey Platt and Angela Starr, Hana District, 1 arrest each;
-- Officer Marvin Tevaga, Lahaina District, 18 arrests;
-- Officer Falealii, Molokai District, 3 arrests; and
-- Officer Carl Eguia, Kihei District, 12 arrests. ### L-R: Maui police chief Gary Yabuta, MADD executive director Jennifer Dotson and Maui Toyota Assistant General Manager David Whitney. Photo by John Henry.
L-R: Maui Toyota Assistant General Manager David Whitney, Maui police chief Gary Yabuta, Officer Sepulona Falealii and Captain Wallace Tom. Photo by John Henry.
Receiving MADD's Individual Award for enforcing impaired driving laws was Officer Sepulona Falealii of the Molokai District. Officer Falealii is also a member of the Hawaii Army National Guard who served two deployments as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Honored with MADD's Unit Award for exceptional achievement was the Vehicle Homicide Unit of Maui County. Sergeant Barry Aoki supervises this investigative unit, which consists of Officers Dukie Racadio, Lawrence Becraft, Duke Pua, Dawn Danley and Gregg Rowe. MADD also recognized Maui police officers who made the most arrests for driving under the influence last year. The honorees are: -- Officer Rod Corso, Wailuku District, 14 arrests;
-- Officers Jeffrey Platt and Angela Starr, Hana District, 1 arrest each;
-- Officer Marvin Tevaga, Lahaina District, 18 arrests;
-- Officer Falealii, Molokai District, 3 arrests; and
-- Officer Carl Eguia, Kihei District, 12 arrests. ### L-R: Maui police chief Gary Yabuta, MADD executive director Jennifer Dotson and Maui Toyota Assistant General Manager David Whitney. Photo by John Henry.
L-R: Maui Toyota Assistant General Manager David Whitney, Maui police chief Gary Yabuta, Officer Sepulona Falealii and Captain Wallace Tom. Photo by John Henry.
