“K.C.” Lum By The Garden Island Kaua‘i Police Department Interim Chief King Chi “K.C.” Lum says he knew what he was getting into when he took the top KPD job May 1. The 21-year veteran expected the long hours and
“K.C.” Lum
By The Garden Island
Kaua‘i Police Department Interim Chief King Chi “K.C.” Lum says he knew what he was getting into when he took the top KPD job May 1.
The 21-year veteran expected the long hours and the tough decisions.
He even knew it would be tough on his golf game.
But it’s worth it, he said.
“It’s a bigger responsibility,” Lum said of the top job. “The number of people you are responsible for is bigger. Their lives and their everyday lives depend on your decisions.
“You just have to do the right thing and stand by your decisions,” he added. “Responsibility comes with the job.” And he still loves being a cop.
“It’s the best job in town,” Lum said. “We get to help the public. It’s very satisfying to do the work that we do, (especially) when we do a good job.” The toughest part, he said, is what all bosses experience.
“Dealing with personnel issues” is the toughest, and the higher you go the more personnel issues you need to deal with, he said. “I understood it would be a lot of work when I came.” He moved around as a kid before settling on Kaua‘i. He was born in Hong Kong, spent some time in Japan, and then spent his high school years in Oklahoma before moving here 28 years ago.
Lum, 55, has been married to Michelle for seven years, and he has three daughters from a previous marriage. He and his wife live in ‘Ele‘ele.
For the past five years, the couple has run Kauai Koppee Roasters, roasting, packaging, and distributing their coffee all over Kaua‘i.
“It’s the best coffee in town,” he said.
As for when he’s not working, he used to play golf, but chief duties have taken away much of his free time.
“I used to play every weekend,” he said. “Now, I’ve played twice in the last three months. I’ve been too busy.”
