8 new adult corrections officers graduate, now working at Big Island facilities

Eight new adult corrections officers are now part of the teams at two state corrections facilities on the Big Island after graduating from basic corrections recruit training.

The new officers were assigned to the following jails and prisons in East Hawaiʻi:

• Hawaiʻi Community Correctional Center, jail, downtown Hilo: 7.
• Kulani Correctional Facility, minimum security prison, 20 miles southeast of Hilo on slopes of Mauna Loa: 1.

A graduation ceremony was conducted July 14 at Island of Hawaiʻi YMCA in Hilo.

Hawaiʻi Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Director Tommy Johnson was guoted congratulating the graduates in a state release: “All of these graduates have worked hard to this point and effectively demonstrated humility and teamwork.”

Johnson said they will face situations throughout their careers that will test their character, integrity, commitment, faith and courage of conviction. The challenge is to do what is right.

“In doing so, they will have the greatest impact on public safety and gain the respect and admiration of their peers, supervisors and the public they serve,” the release quotes the director. “I sincerely thank each of the graduates for their service. I thank their [families] and loved ones for their steadfast support.

Keynote speaker Hilo Circuit Court Judge Peter K. Kubota also applauded the graduates.

“You guys are great young men,” Kubota was quoted in the release. “A lot of training, a lot of commitment, a lot of hard work and sacrifices from yourselves and your family members to get you there. All from our beautiful community of Hilo.”

It’s a challenging and “very rewarding career that you’re embarking on,” Kubota added, noting that the new corrections officers join a team throughout the islands that forms the foundation of the state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

There are 1,140 adult corrections officer positions filled in the state. Another about 380 are vacant.

Graduates of Hawaiʻi Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Basic Corrections Recruit Class 25-03B completed 8 weeks of rigorous training comprised of more than 300 hours of classroom instruction and physical training.

A variety of subjects are taught, including standards of conduct, ethics and professionalism, report writing, interpersonal communications, maintaining security, crisis intervention, security threat groups (gangs), mental health, first aid, use of firearms and self-defense tactics.

All incoming corrections officers also receive field training during their final weeks of training.

Recruits go into facilities to begin their jobs with guidance from training sergeants.

New officer Valuvalu Leiato said he wanted to become a corrections officer to make a positive impact on those in custody and under the care of the Hawaiʻi Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

“You can never judge a book by its cover,” Leiato was quoted in the release. “Like what the judge said, a simple shaka, a simple aloha. That makes a big difference.”