Ceremony marks the graduation of 8 newly-minted adult corrections officers
The Hawaii Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DCR) is actively addressing a significant staffing shortage among adult corrections officers (ACOs) by increasing the number and frequency of recruit classes, shortening but maintaining the rigour of training, and broadening recruitment outreach.
**Expanded Recruitment and Training Efforts**
Since its redesignation from the Department of Public Safety (PSD) to DCR on January 1, 2024, the department has increased its annual recruit classes from three to six per year. By the end of 2025, DCR aims to further increase the number of recruit classes to eight annually. The training course for recruits has been compressed from 11 weeks to 8 weeks, while still covering essential subjects such as standards of conduct, ethics, report writing, security, crisis intervention, and self-defense. Recruits receive over 300 hours of both classroom instruction and physical training, ensuring they are well-prepared for the demands of the job.
**Ongoing Staffing Shortage**
As of July 2025, there are 1,140 filled ACO positions statewide, leaving approximately 380 vacant positions, highlighting an ongoing staffing shortage. DCR has intensified recruitment campaigns using radio, social media, bus ads, and movie theater advertisements to attract more applicants. Official DCR social media posts continue to reference the ongoing “staffing shortage” as a persistent challenge.
**Graduation Ceremony**
The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation held a graduation ceremony on Monday for a new class of eight adult corrections officers. DCR Director Tommy Johnson sincerely thanked each of the graduates for their service and emphasised that their challenge would be to do what is right. According to DCR Director Johnson, the new officers will face situations that test their character, integrity, commitment, faith, and courage of conviction in their careers.
A notable graduate, Valuvalu Leiato, joined the DCR with the goal of positively impacting individuals in DCR's custody. Leiato stated that one should not judge a person by their appearance, emphasising the importance of simple gestures like a shaka or aloha. Seven of the new officers have been assigned to the Hawaii Community Correctional Center in Hilo, with one assigned to Kulani Correctional Facility.
Judge Peter K. Kubota was the keynote speaker at the graduation ceremony, offering words of encouragement and advice to the new officers as they embark on their careers. Doing what is right, as stated by DCR Director Tommy Johnson, will have the greatest impact on public safety and gain the respect and admiration of their peers, supervisors, and the public they serve.
**Table**
| Aspect | Current Status (July 2025) | Notes | |-------------------------|-------------------------------|-----------------------------------------| | Recruit classes/year | 6 (aiming for 8 by end 2025) | Increased from 3 prior to 2024[1][3] | | Training duration | 8 weeks (down from 11) | Over 300 hours of instruction[1][3] | | Filled ACO positions | 1,140 | | | Vacant ACO positions | ~380 | | | Recruitment efforts | Expanded statewide campaigns | Radio, social media, ads[1][3] | | Staffing shortage | Ongoing | Cited in official communications[5] |
Sources:
[1] Hawaii Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (2025). [Website] Available at:
[2] Hawaii News Now (2025). Hawaii Corrections Department Graduates New Class of Officers. [Online] Available at:
[3] Star-Advertiser (2025). Hawaii Corrections Department Increases Recruit Classes. [Online] Available at:
[4] KHON 2 (2025). Hawaii Corrections Department Graduates New Class of Officers. [Online] Available at:
[5] Hawaii Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (2025). [Social Media Post]. Available at:
Community members are invited to attend a general-news event taking place on the Hawaii islands, as a new class of adult corrections officers, who have undergone rigorous training and recruitment efforts, will be graduating. The community can expect to hear keynote speeches from Judge Peter K. Kubota, offering words of encouragement and advice to the new officers as they begin their careers in crime-and-justice. Additionally, the sports community might find the event interesting given the relevance of teamwork, discipline, and perseverance in both fields.
