(BIVN) – A three-year-old Labrador Retriever who was trained as a live-find human tracking canine has joined the Hawaiʻi Police Department.

K9 Trina was officially welcomed to the department in a ceremony held at the West Hawai‘i Civic Center on Tuesday. K9 Trina replaces K9 Argo, who retired in 2023. 

K9 Trina has been paired with canine handler Officer Christopher Ross of the Area II Juvenile Aid Section. The team will track missing children and endangered adults on Hawaiʻi island. 

K9 Trina with canine handler Officer Christopher Ross, photo courtesy Hawaiʻi Police Department

According to a police news release:

Trina was acquired through a $25,000 donation from the Hawaiʻi Island K9 Association. The donation covered the cost of acquiring Trina, her transport to Hawaiʻi Island, and both handler and canine training.

The association also funded the kennel improvement project in Kona, which began in 2023. “It took us two years to get the necessary permits for the fencing,” noted Captain Edwin Buyten of the Vice Division who served as the department liaison with Tammy Passmore, founder and Chair of the Hawai‘i Island K9 Association. “The kennels were gutted and completely rebuilt. We also enhanced the canine housing area and created fenced grassy recreation areas,” added Buyten. Department officials noted that the kennel improvements are part of a long-term effort to ensure HPD’s police service dogs receive the highest standard of care. The department recognizes the community’s deep affection for its canine partners and remains committed to their well-being. “We are greatly appreciative to Tammy and the Association’s hard work for all their contributions to our department.”

Photo shows the kennel improvement project in Kona, courtesy Hawaiʻi Police Department

Born in Sweden, Trina received initial training at Ultimate K9 in Westfield, Indiana. She and Officer Ross later completed an additional 40-hour training with retired Honolulu Police Department canine trainer Corporal Wayne Silva. That training was also funded through the Association’s donation.

Police Chief Reed Mahuna emphasized the importance of community support in strengthening the department’s capabilities.

“We are deeply grateful to the Hawaiʻi Island K9 Association not only for helping bring K9 Trina to our department, but also for their generous support in improving our Kona kennels,” Chief Mahuna said. “Their commitment ensures our canine teams have the resources they need to safely and effectively serve our community.”

photo courtesy Hawaiʻi Police Department

Amanda Leonard, Missing Child Center Hawai‘i and MAILE AMBER Alert Coordinator in the Hawai‘i Department of the Attorney General, spoke at the ceremony about the critical role scent detection dogs play. “When someone goes missing in our community, whether it is keiki, kupuna, or other vulnerable persons, these are the critical times when scent-tracking police K9s like Trina can help guide search and rescue personnel faster and bring peace of mind to the victim’s family sooner,” said Leonard. “We greatly appreciate and respect Hawai‘i Island K9 Association and its supporters for this significant contribution to the Big Island community and for its longstanding commitment to strengthening public safety in such a meaningful way.”

Officer Ross said Trina has already proven to be a strong partner.

“K9 Trina is a very smart and affectionate dog with an incredible tracking drive,” Officer Ross said. “She is a pleasure to work with and an important addition to our efforts to protect Hawaiʻi Island’s most vulnerable residents.”