Hawaii County Implements New Safety Measures for Police K-9 Units

Thermal monitors, sensor collars, and improved kennels aim to prevent another tragic K-9 death.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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In response to the death of police dog Archer, Hawaii County has implemented new safety measures to protect its K-9 units, including temperature monitors in handlers' vehicles, specialized sensor collars for the dogs, and remodeled kennels with shaded and grassy areas.

Why it matters

The death of Archer, a police K-9, highlighted the need for improved safety protocols to prevent such tragedies in the future. These new measures demonstrate the department's commitment to the wellbeing of its canine officers and aim to ensure the safety of both the dogs and their human partners.

The details

After an internal investigation found discipline was warranted in Archer's death, the Hawaii County Police Department has implemented several new safety measures. Temperature monitors have been added to handlers' vehicles to alert them and command staff if it gets too hot. The department's six police dogs are now wearing specialized collars that monitor temperature, location, body heat, and other vital signs, triggering alarms if the dog overheats. The kennels at the Kona police station have also been remodeled with funding from the Hawaii Island K9 Association, providing the animals with a large shaded area and a grassy space to run.

  • In September, K-9 Archer died after his handler left him in a vehicle for an 'unacceptable period of time'.
  • Since Archer's death, the new safety measures have been implemented by the Hawaii County Police Department.

The players

Reed Mahuna

Hawaii County Police Chief.

Kyle Murray

Handler for K-9 Kim, a 4-year-old German Shorthaired Pointer assigned to the narcotics and vice unit.

Kim

A 4-year-old German Shorthaired Pointer trained to detect drugs ranging from marijuana to fentanyl.

Hawaii Island K9 Association

An organization that provided funding for the remodeling of the kennels at the Kona police station.

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What they’re saying

“She is with me when I come to work and I bring her back home too.”

— Kyle Murray, K-9 Handler (hawaiinewsnow.com)

What’s next

The department will continue to monitor the effectiveness of the new safety measures and make any necessary adjustments to ensure the wellbeing of its K-9 units.

The takeaway

The tragic death of K-9 Archer has prompted the Hawaii County Police Department to prioritize the safety and care of its canine officers, implementing a comprehensive set of measures to prevent such incidents from occurring again and demonstrating the department's commitment to the welfare of its four-legged partners.