Committee forwards federal grant to train Hawaii Police special response team

The County of Hawaii Finance Committee on July 9 voted to forward a federal grant authorization and related budget bill to the full council to support training for the Hawaii Police Department’s special response team.

Lieutenant Aaron Carvallo, representing the HPD special response team, told the committee the department was awarded a Justice Assistance Grant intended to pay for travel and trainings. "We recently applied for and was awarded approximately $50,357," Lt. Carvallo said, and listed planned uses including certification of two operators in tactical breaching, two operators as less-lethal instructors, two operators to attend a National Tactical Officers Association conference, and specialized precision marksmanship courses for four marksmen. Earlier in the meeting the clerk read the resolution and the packet language listing the award as $50,537; the record therefore contains two close but different figures for the award.

Committee members asked about the grant timeline and scope. Council member Inaba confirmed the trainings and travel would occur between now and next June; Lt. Carvallo confirmed that schedule. Council member Evans asked whether the team responds to airport incidents and how the grant differed from other funding for hazardous devices; Carvallo said the department has a separate bomb squad funded by other federal sources and that this grant funds operations beyond patrol — for example active shooters, hostage or barricade incidents and other crises that exceed patrol capabilities.

The committee had a motion to forward Resolution 551-24 (and associated Bill 177, the budget appropriation) to the full council with a favorable recommendation. The clerk recorded the committee vote on the resolution as nine in favor; the budget bill was forwarded with eight in favor and one member excused.

The items will proceed to the full County Council for final action.