HPD welcomes new police K9 Trina to track missing persons

The Hawaii Police Department introduced K9 Trina, a 3-year-old Labrador paired with Officer Christopher Ross to assist in tracking missing children and endangered adults; the Hawaii Island K9 Association donated $25,000 and funded kennel upgrades in Kona.

The Hawaii Police Department formally welcomed K9 Trina during a ceremony Tuesday at the West Hawaii Civic Center in Kona. The event was co-hosted by the Hawaii Island K9 Association and also recognized completion of a Kona kennel improvement project. Trina, a 3-year-old Labrador Retriever born in Sweden, is paired with Officer Christopher Ross of the Area II Juvenile Aid Section and will be assigned to track missing children and endangered adults islandwide. The Hawaii Island K9 Association provided a $25,000 donation that covered Trina's acquisition, transport, and training. Key details: - Trina is trained as a live-find human tracking canine and received initial training at Ultimate K9 in Westfield, Indiana. - Trina and handler Officer Christopher Ross completed an additional 40-hour training with retired Honolulu Police Department trainer Cpl. Wayne Silva, funded by the association. - The Hawaii Island K9 Association donated $25,000 to cover Trina's acquisition, transport, and training costs. - Trina replaces K9 Argo, who retired in 2023 after five years of service to Hawaii Island. - The association also funded a Kona kennel improvement project that began in 2023; Capt. Edwin Buyten said permits took two years and that kennels were rebuilt with enhanced canine housing and fenced grassy recreation areas. Summary: Community funding brought K9 Trina to the Hawaii Police Department and supported kennel upgrades meant to ensure a higher standard of care for police service dogs. Undetermined at this time.