Media release courtesy Hawaii County Police Department:

The Hawaiʻi Police Department has launched a new tool the community can use to help keep our island safe. It’s called the “Kuleana Hotline.”

The Kuleana Hotline is designed to prevent tragic events in public places, including schools, restaurants and other locations where members of our community gather.

Unlike Crime Stoppers, to which citizens may report information about a specific crime, the Kuleana Hotline is an avenue for reporting something that may not be criminal yet but has the potential to turn disastrous if not prevented.

Many tragedies committed by individuals or organized groups have been preceded by warning signs. We as a community are responsible for notifying the police if we see or hear anything that has the potential to turn into a malicious act.

For example:

• If you read a post on a social networking site about a person interested in purchasing a firearm and the person signals intent to cause harm with that weapon, call the Kuleana Hotline.
• If you witness suspicious activity around public buildings, utility companies or bridges, call the Kuleana Hotline.
• If you see something or someone’s behavior that may seem innocuous but gives you a “funny feeling” in your stomach that something is “just not right,” call the Kuleana Hotline.
• Your tip could help authorities intervene before those warning signs develop into a crime or tragedy.

“Kuleana” is the Hawaiian word for “responsibility.” The significance of the hotline’s name is that we are all neighbors living on this island together, and we are all responsible for preventing acts of terror or mass injury.

The number for the Kuleana Hotline is 961-2219. It is not manned around the clock but it allows for callers to provide information by leaving voice mail messages.

Together, we can protect our community from destructive acts.