LIHUE Former county councilmember Mel Rapozo has been hired as an investigator for the Kauai County Prosecuting Attorneys Office, according to a county spokesperson.
LIHUE — Former county councilmember Mel Rapozo has been hired as an investigator for the Kauai County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, according to a county spokesperson.
The spokesperson confirmed rumors about Rapozo’s appointment via email Wednesday afternoon but offered no further details about the position other than the length of the contract — 89 days.
The county prosecutor’s office is staffed with one full-time investigator and two part-time, contract investigators who have the powers and duties of police officers, according to a federal grant application Prosecuting Attorney Justin Kollar recently submitted for County Council approval.
In a written statement Thursday, Kollar said Rapozo will be handling criminal investigations for the Drug Nuisance Abatement Unit, filling a job vacancy that arose from a retirement in the unit earlier this year.
“We are excited to have Mel aboard,” Kollar said. “His wealth of experience and skills make him an asset to our office.”
Rapozo, a former Kauai Police Department officer, was first elected to the council in 2002, and served until 2008. He was reelected two years later and served until term limits made him ineligible to continue, acting as council chair for his final two years in office.
Rapozo owns and operates a private investigation company and works at Timbers Resort at Hokuala as night auditor. He submitted an application for county auditor last December and is rumored to be among the candidates being considered for the position. He did not respond to phone calls about his new job.
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Caleb Loehrer, staff writer, can be reached at 245-0441 or cloehrer@thegardenisland.com.
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Is this suppose to be a JOKE?
This guy knows know conflict of interest and has many skeletons in his closet to make Arthur Brun look like a juvenile.
Wow this is low really really low and those who know, know.
Amore.
Anahola Beach.
Ditch.
With his background I am sure Mr. Rapozo is well qualified for his new county position. Hope he stays there rather than become the county auditor. The county auditor should be an experienced certified public account with abundant experience in government auditing.
It’s all good provided Mr. Rapozo’s integrity is intact considering recent observations of an extra marital affair.
To investigate what? Most of the investigation done on a county level can be handled by police officers and their own investigators. If this was a financial issue, another attempt at making this into an important concern. The paper work is pretty shabby. There is no pay.
Perfect timing. Let the games begin!
The prosecuting Attorney’s office do not need Mel Rapozo. I cannot see how they will need Mel for their own investigation. This is national enquirer newspaper territory.
Good ‘ol boy network doing it’s job!
How many hours does he have in any given day. Private detective… night auditor and now add county investigator ??
P.A. Kollar just last month went before the council to secure “grant” funds. So, this positions’ paycheck must be in the order of annual, hundo-thousand! Sorry, but I have to question Everybodies integrity within and surrounding COKstates Ramboing! This should be carefully monitored, because if you know you know. Stolen mailbox has got many of us on guard and we are paying attention like no other timeline.
If this was meant to be funny…. I’m not laughing. This position has “the powers and duties of police officers”. Why would you put a person who was fired as a KPD officer back in the department. Besides all the work and tax money spent for new recruitment and removing even more corrupt officers since Mel Ropozos days.. why would you pollute the force again? To return someone back in the mix again is irresponsible and insulting to the citizens of Kauai. We need to feel safe!
Kauaians forget? No we don’t!!!!
County of Kauai, I just don’t know how you can get any sketchier…
Excellent hire by the OPA! Mel brings a wealth of experience from his years in law enforcement and private investigations. Additionally, his knowledge, familiarity, and rapport with many Kaua’i ohana gives him an edge in working to resolve cases. A coach of any team will put the best people at their respective positions based on the tools and attributes they each possess. Such is the case with Mel. You want an investigator…..you got a good one. For all you naysayers on this thread, your negativity and your nonsense is what Hawaiians call pilau. You try to create problems by digging up dirt…..but you actually digging your own hole. Mel has served and fought hard for this community for many years in county council. Now he gets to use his skills, education, training, and experience to help bring justice as well as closure for many families.
NPRay is still missing. So is the investigator going to summon people to the Napoleon Ray missing persons report?
Interesting if he does. You know.
Contract length 89 days???? What the heck? Who has a contract for only 89 days AND gets a news article about it? What the heck for? Perhaps for ONE case with a special investigation on a fellow council person maybe? Oh now my respect for our Prosecuting office just diminish considerable.
Are they investigating dismissible behavior? They found the perfect guy ah
I am a victim and have been waiting justice, but P.A. and the one Guilty “stolen mailbox” is the tip of the kiawe thorn Exposing dozens more like mr/mrs above the law P.A. judiciary, “peace officer” chief! RICO in our hood, Benish Author” The Fifth Seal” sorta a sequel to KPD Blue and Superferry chronicles, Governors Aber, blingle, several before them, same with county mayors retroactive. It Has Happend here as big time and on Hawaii island and finally a grand jury indictment that certainly will widen some Kauai and Hawaii island judiciary corrupted manipulations that is unslippable unless allowed bail! Uhane Hemolele finally has our Many backs. EVEN Brun Mahalo KeAkua