rage 1 or .4 I am writing this email on behalf of a good friend, Ryan Borges. My name is Bobby Smith and I am a teacher and coach at Punahou School. I am now in my 42nd year of employment there. Since 1995 I have been actively engaged on a weekly basis in a prison ministry. I ?rst started in I995 as a member of Kalihi Union Church, and then in 2000 I continued on in this ministry as a member ofNew I-Iope Christian Fellowship. In my 21 years of involvement in this wonderful, redeeming ministry I was blessed to serve alongside of two members of Honolulu's Finest. One was the late Eric Fontes, and the other was Ryan Borges. This was around the year 2009 or 2010 when I first met and served with them. I was always amazed at how well Ryan was able to instantaneously connect and garner the respect of the inmates whom we visited. He spoke to them in such a frank and sincere manner. I felt he left a lasting and positive in?uence on their lives. He had such a commanding and physical presence. Some people have that character trait in their lives and Ryan surely possesses that quality. Being a former US. Marine I had some commanding of?cers with that same quality. I can assure you that the officers who possessed such a character trait were great leaders, especially when we were under enduring circumstances. Fyi, Chief Kealoha, I, too, was planning a long time ago to be a member of Honolulu's Finest. Back in 1964 under the advice of Chief Dan Liu and the mentoring and sponsorship of Assistant Chief Charles Duarte I attended, upon graduation from high school, San Jose State College majoring in police science. It was there that I met great men who entered the ?eld of law enforcement. To make a long story short, in 1966 I decided to enter the United States Marine Corps. After Vietnam and my discharge from the Marines I somehow lost my zeal for law enforcement and instead followed a pre-law major and eventually graduated from the Univ. of Hawaii with an education degree. Several months later I was hired in 1974 and have been working at Punahou ever since. I write the above so that you can see from what context I am viewing your appointment of Ryan Borges to Assistant Chief of Police. I have been blessed and have served with or under fellow Marines or coaches who seemed to have an innate quality in them to be leaders of men. Their presence alone seems to command an instant respect and following. Though I don't know you personally, Chief Kealoha, you strike me as one of those kinds of men. I say this injust listening to you on the TV and the manner in which you speak. In Ryan's case I have seen this quality firsthand. His interaction with people is rather direct and without pretense. He seems always forthcoming, honest, caring and sincere. He would also be the first to admit that he has made his share of mistakes in life - like me, we all do. However, in Ryan's case I have seen a man who has learned from those mistakes and is now using his life experiences, though regrettably painful, to influence and lead others from making those same mistakes. I have the utmost respect for men who can change their lives around to eventually benefit others! I commend you, Chief Kealoha, in having the courage and conviction in making the announcement in considering Ryan Borges as Assistant Chief of Police. I sincerely believe you made a great choice, deSpite what the media or others with their own political agenda may say to the contrary. Law 2/8/2016 enforcement, especially in today's politically correct world is a tough career. You need men who can lead and garner respect from the other men in blue. Ryan is that type of man. If I had ever entered a career of law enforcement as I had initially planned years ago I would have gladly and proudly served under Assistant Chief of Police Ryan Borges! I thank you in advance, Chief Kealoha, in reading and considering what I have said of Ryan Borges. I believe you made a great choice in recommending his appointment. Aloha, Bobby Smith 2/8/2016 February 7, 2016 Aloha Chief Kealoha, I write this letter on behalf of Honolulu Police Department Major Ryan Borges. I have known Major Borges personally for over 46 years, having first met him when we were baseball and basketball players as teammates at nine years old. i have known him as a personal friend, teammate, co-chaplains, and briefly as his supervisor i first became aware of Major Borges as a leader when we played sports together as youngsters. Other players always looked up to him because he was competitive but was also encouraging to others. He had a heart of gold as he looked for opportunities to build up and encourage others who were not as skilled in athletics as he was. Even as teammates in college, he displayed a great attitude by being prompt for every practice, and working hard daily, knowing that he wouldn?t travel with the team or play in any games. He was truly a teammate that displayed great character and always thought of the team?s needs first. Our paths crossed once again in the late '90?s and early 2000?s as we worked together at Matson Terminals Inc. where lam employed as a Senior Supt. and Roro Terminal Manager. In his position I got to see how Major Borges interacted while supervising ILWU longshoremen on the waterfront. What I noticed was the eagerness 0f the workers to perform their tasks as instructed by Major Borges because of the great respect that the employees had for him. He was given the respect because of the way he conducted himself around the men. Major Borges was firm, but treated them fairly and with respect. We then worked together as chaplains in the Federal Detention Center in Honolulu. While entering the FDC to conduct bible studies for the FDC population, Major Borges trained me for several months before allowing me to venture out on my own. Thanks to his training we are both able work separately in our own ministries making a positive impact in and around the our Hawaiian islands. I believe that I am well qualified to speak in support of Major Ryan Borges to the position of Assistant Chief of Police for the Honolulu Police Department. I will vouch for his character and integrity as a police officer and as a pillar in the community. We all make mistakes in life, and Major Borges is no different. Knowing Major Borges from the beginning of his lifetime to his present as a Major with HPD and as a leader in church ministry, I truly believe that the community and the department will benefit tremendously from having Major Borges as an Assistant Chief. Sincerely, Keith Ah Yuen Page I ofl Dear Chief Kealoha. This is a strong and unquali?ed letter of support for Ryan Borges. I write it as a private citizen and as past Chair ofthe Boys and Girls Club of Hawai?i (2010-12) having served on the board since 1986. I am currently statewide chair for the Boys and Girls Club Alliance. Speci?cally, I have known Ryan since about 2006. I gladly serve as a strong and positive character reference for the reasons stated below. I well understand what occurred previously between Ryan and his ex-wife. I believe it is out of character and he has taken reSponsibility and dramatically mended his ways by example and word and deed. Isn't that all one could ask who errs? I trust and respect Ryan as a law enforcement of?cer sworn to protect and serve, as a family man and citizen of our community. I further respect and understand why folks may not SUpport him, including Senator Espero's concern. I strongly believe Ryan is deserving of whatever title you wish to bestow upon him. Speci?cally, Ryan and I served as mentors and support for Camp Agape, a camp for children of incarcerated parents founded about 2006 or so. About youth attend every Labor Day weekend for the past 10 years. I it has been a small miracle to see the youth grow, break the chains of family dysfunction, criminality, drugs and move on. Ryan served impeccably, selflessly and with exemplary leadership over the 4 days and 3 nights of each camp. Camp Agape is not an easy task to organize and implement. Ryan did it graciously when many others had dif?culty. I have seen Ryan perform his duties as a Honolulu Police Department of?cer and now as Major. I have seen him in Kane?one providing grounding and leadership in some tough situations. As a private citizen, I feel safer and more secure with him leading our police force. When we opened the Kailua Boys and Girls Club last year, Ryan was there on time, in his uniform bringing honor and respect upon the staff and youth present. We spoke about how very important it was to show the youth and parents what good law enforcement is. Should you have any questions, please let me know. I stand ready to support Ryan however needed. He is a good and gracious man with a good family who understands our community well. With warmest regards, Judge Michael A. Town (retired). Mediator/Arbitrator Dispute Prevention Resolution Hawai?i. 2/8/2016 Page i or February 6, 2016 Re: Major Ryan Borges Dear Chief Kealoha, My name is Sylvia Waiwaiole?Hopfe and I am writing this letter in reference to Major Ryan Borges. I am a former Fire Commissioner for the Honolulu Fire department and am also on the Board of Directors for Pacific Rim Christian University as well as being a successful Busines Woman. Ryan and his wife Haunani have been very helpful in a recent event that involved the University. Students at Pacific Rim Christian University learn the importance of faith, integrity, good morals, and caring for others. They will be among leaders very much like Major Borges who will help to make Hawaii and the world a better place, and who will be an Asset and a Credit to the Honolulu Police Department. It makes me sad to think that someone as worthy as Major Borges would have to go through such attack by someonfe who should know better, a state senator, Mr. Espero. I have known Major Borges since he was a child. We grew up in the same neighbor-hood in Kaneohe and I have always known him to be a kind, repectable and gentle young man even as a teen-ager. i was very impressed on how much care, love and concern he gave to his mother and continues to do so after the death of his father who also retired from the Honolulu Police Department. I fully agree with you Chief Kealoha in your statement made in the Star Advertiser today on february 6th that Major Ryan Borges would be an excellent assistant Chief. As a matter of fact, we need more people like him who is honest and open about his past. The scripture clearly says. "Those who have not sinned, cast the first stone? Is Espero perfect, I doubt it. Who doesn?t make MAjor Borges life now is a testimony 2/8/2016 fdgCAUli to thousands of people because of his life changing experience. It is what we do with our lives afterwards that counts and shapes our character, (Only God can do that when we fully submit lives to Him such as Major Borges has). I believe Major Borges is fully prepared to take on the position of Assistant Chief for the City and County of Honolulu, Physically, Spiritually, Emotionally and Mentally because of his Balanced lifestyle, which is hard to find these days. Respectfully yours, Sylvia Waiwaiole-Hopfe 2/8/2016 Kimberly K. Kaopuiki February 7, 2016 Chief Louis Kealoha: This letter is a character recommendation for Ryan Borges. i know that Major Ryan Borges was promoted to the rank of Assistant Chief of Police for the Honolulu Police Department recently, but a controversial incident that happened nearly 23 years ago is being revisited to prevent his promotion by a State Senator. I wanted to write to you to give you the reasons why I absolutely recommend Major Borges for this position. I met Ryan nearly two years ago through his wife, Haunani and their efforts to build positive values in the state of Hawaii and the United States. They are active members of our state's Christian groups and work towards making life better for everyone they encounter. Although he attends his church regularly on Saturdays, he also attend other services at different churches on the island on Sundays. Ryan is an active participant of the Angel Tree Kids with Camp Agape where they help children of incarcerated parents grow in their Christian faith. Their ministry which spreads throughout the United States because of Haunani's popular on-line store has made them become ambassadors for our state in sharing righteous values. I have spent many hours with them sharing in fellowship and just learning so much about how they make a difference. Major Borges, during his free time goes into the prisons to fellowship with inmates and help them realize they're potential and needs to assure change once they exit the prison system. He attends He is a great leader, worshiper, and commander. There is no doubt that Ryan Borges is an invaluable member of any team he participates in because he is a team player who is able to work collaboratively and still make necessary decisions. Major Ryan Borges constantly strives to achieve and then surpass any goals set, and works as a morale booster for the rest of the team if things aren't going as well as planned. i have always noticed that Ryan is up for anything, and never complains about the work set before him. Even after getting home from his work, he jumps in to help Haunani whenever she needs his help. I have been proud to know Ryan and I know you will be an asset as Assistant Chief of Police. Please contact me if ou would like me to answer any questions or give you some specific examples at Thank you for your time, Kimberly K. Kaopuiki Page 1 of 1 Aloha Chief Louis Kealoha, my name is Walter Ritte, and this is a letter in support of Major Ryan Borges. I met Major Ryan Borges for the first time as we were trying to gain access to the Na?i Aupuni Hawaiian meetings being held at the Royal Hawaiian Country Club in Maunawili. A group of us were on private property and a private road and many things could have gone wrong as we were dealing with many people that day who were not happy with being locked out of a meeting of Hawaiians at an event called Na'i Aupuni. Of?cer Borges handled the situation in a way that prevented confrontations that would have cost the tax payers a lot of money and everyone involved a lot of grief. He kept his word in our negotiations in trying to allow us to accomplish our goals within the laws that he had to up hold. He made it clear what were allowed and what were the lines we could not cross. He kept in direct communications through out the day as things were actively changing. Our group was mostly young angry Hawaiians. and not the accommodating Civic Club" type activist We were able to do what we intended. and no maior problems or confrontations developed. Officer Borge's integrity. concern and ability to work things out prevented a tense situation from getting out of hand to the detriment of all involved. Walter Ritte. 2/10/2016 Page 1 or 1 First, hope you and your family are in good health. This recent ?ak on Borges' promotion to Asst. Chief by a politician has cause you some heart burn I'm sure. Besides being a fellow FBINAA graduate have work closely with Borges both as an employee of Kaneohe Ranch and now Alexander Baldwin. As we address crime and community issues at our Kaneohe, Aikahi and Kailua properties I find the Major to be of utmost concern both for the community as a whole and the police department. He is very responsive and open to new ideas. Your decision to promote Major Borges to an assistant chief is a good and wise decision for all concern. Please use my name and position in any way you feel would assist you in refuting negative comments being made by a particular politician. Aloha and God Bless, Chester E. Hughes 2/10/2016 HONOLULU FIRE DEPARTMENT CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU 536 South Street Honolulu. Hawall 95813-5007 Phone: 808-723-7139 Fax: 808-723-71 I1 Internal: KIRK CALDWELL MANUEL P. NEVES MAYOR FIRE CHIEF LIONEL CAMARA JR. DEPUTY FIFIE CHIEF February 9, 2016 TO: LOUIS KEALOHA. CHIEF OF POLICE HONOLULU POLICE DEPARTMENT FROM: MANUEL P. NEVES. FIRE CHIEF SUBJECT: SUPPORT OF THE PROMOTION OF MAJOR RYAN BORGES TO THE RANK OF ASSISTANT CHIEF On behalf of the Honolulu Fire Department (HFD). I recommend and support the promotion of Major Borges to the rank of Assistant Chief in the Honolulu Police Department (HPD). Through our interdepartmental working relationship, Major Borges has espoused the HPD's principles of integrity, respect. and fairness. Under his command in Windward Oahu, a recognized cooperative working relationship between HFD and HPD personnel has been developed as a direct result of his professionalism and leadership. The HFD unreservedly supports the promotion of Major Borges who will serve the citizens of Honolulu with distinction in his new position. MANUEL P. NEVES Fire Chief Dear Chief Kealoha, My name is Hilton Lui and I am a retired Supervisory Special Agent of the FBI and own my own investigative agency by the name of Hilton Associates, Inc since I retired in 1993. I just received Ryan Borges' letter about a hour ago and although I may be late in replying. I want to go on record that what happened in 1993, the year that I started my business is a long time ago. Ryan made a wrong choice then and it should not haunt him. Let his record since that time speak for itself. Please do not have some politician get in the way of you running your department. Everyone makes mistakes and Ryan paid for it a long time ago. Let bygones be bygones. Aloha, Hilton J. Lui President Hilton Associates, Inc. Page 1 of Date: February 8, 2016 RE: Ryan Borges I humbly ask you, Police Chief Louis Kealoha, to stand in favor of your decision to promote Major Ryan Borges to Assistant Chief of the Honolulu Police Department. Maj or Ryan Borges has served diligently through out the years from Sergeant (1995) to Captain (2010) to Major (2014). His work performance and police abilities has advanced him into an Administrative Chief for the Honolulu, Police Department. Resolving this issue has caused Ryan great lost, not only to his personal life, which ended in divorcing his wife, Laura. but also to his working career. Making changes and going back to GOD has restored his outlook on life. Major Ryan Borges not only resolved the charges against him, he is able to produce a stellar Police career. He has made changes to his own personal life as well as time served for the Honolulu Police Department in the Line of Duty. He is being rewarded with a promotion to Assistant Chief of the Honolulu Police Department. I am honored to call him my friend and also to serve alongside of him in many ministries over the years. He has time time again, been such a Blessed asset in talking to the many youth that I have ministered to as a bible studies chaplain at Hawaii Youth Correctional Facility. Along with the many men that we have ministered to in different men's bible study groups over the past 10 yrs. He is certainly looked up to by so many men as well as women. Again Chief Kealoha, I am not trying to tell you what to do, but I am standing up for a True Man of God, a Great friend and asset to your department as well as to our Blessings Always to You Yours, Rocky R. Gilding Youth Chaplain HYCF Prison Ministry New HOpe Oahu 2/9/2016 Page 1 of 1 Dear Chief Kealoha, My name is Susan Whitlock, wife of retired HPD of?cer Ed Whitlock. I am writing to you in regard to your recent promotion of Ryan Borges to Assistant Chief. Unfortunately there are some negative people against his promotion. 1, however, am strongly in support of his promotion. I've known Ryan since the 1970's when we went to high school together. I only know Ryan to be a good person with love and aloha towards everyone he knows and meets. No one in this world has a perfect life and we all go thru good and not so good times. Sadly, some people like to judge and scrutinize other people's lives and pasts. Ryan seems to have grown strong in Christ and he has done so much for the department and the community. Ryan is very deserving in his recent promotion as Assistant Chief of Police and is very respected by his family, friends, and the community. I also want to take this opportunity to thank you for being yet another great Honolulu Chief of Police. I appreciate your time in reading this email. Mahalo ke Akua. Aloha, Susan Whitlock 2/9/2016 framed ?gotta Former Lieutenant Governor, State of Hawaii MEDIATION. All?lTlUtTlON. a consunmc Circuit Court Judge, Retired February 12, 2016 Dear Chief Kealoha: I am writing this very short letter of strong support on behalf of Major Ryan Borges and your decision to promote him to Assistant Chief of Police. Unlike some others in the community, I will not second guess your decision. As a former state judge and lieutenant governor of the State of Hawaii, 1 have no doubt that you have done a comprehensive and exhaustive vetting process of Major Borges prior to making your decision regarding his promotion to Assistant Chief. However, i can speak with authority and knowledge as to Major Borges walk in Faith. My relationship with Major Borges is a result of the long relationship that his mother and my wife have had for the past 20 plus years. Accordingly, I have ?rst-hand knowledge of the trials and tribulations that Major Berges has gone through both personally and professionally. As a result, he is a superior police of?cer and human being. Being the son of father who was also a dedicated servant of the police force, I know that he is committed to nothing but the best interests of the men and women of the force. As to his Faith in God, i can attest to it genuineness and place in his life. His Faith is his life, and his life is his Faith! in closing, as a former career criminal prosecutor, family, and circuit courtjudge who has worked with Honolulu Police Department beat of?cers, detectives, and ranking of?cers on numerous occasions, there is no doubt in my mind that your selection of Major Borges as Assistant Chief of Police is a great choice. You have my strong support in your selection. Please let me know if I can be of any assistance in this matter. Since R. ?Duke? Aion Jr. Kealoha, Louis Aloha Chief: Just a short note that I support the promotion of Major Borges to Asst Chief. Our office had the pleasure of working with him and he is top notch very deserving of a promotion. In life, people make mistakes, mistakes that they may regret, I believe in second chances. If you think its helps, please don't hesitate to use me as a reference to support your decision. If approached by the media I will state all of the above. Hang tough my friend. ERNIE Sent from my iPhone ?angt;n C:ut%3cmn 1; 1i- cm Kealoha, Louis Subject: Statement of Support for Major Ryan Bmges Dear Chief Kealoha, My name is Kevin Ishida, and I currently serve as the Vice Chancellor for Administration at University of Hawaii?West Oahu. Prior to this, I served as the Vice Chancellor for Administrative Services at Windward Community College (WCC). While I was at WCC, I worked very closely with Major Ryan Borges on ensuring the safety and security of the campus. During my time at WCC, I always knew that I could count on HPD to assist the campus. Major Borges always made sure that our needs and concerns were addressed. Furthermore, he always made time to meet or talk to me, sharing his knowledge and advice. He is very well respected within the windward community, and in my personal View, he has represented the Honolulu Police Department well. He is very dedicated and committed to protecting and serving the people and community. He has proven to be an outstanding leader and spokesperson for HPD and has done this with great integrity. In closing, I wholeheartedly support the appointment of Major Borges to the position of Assistant Police Chief. I truly believe that he will do an excellent job and represent the department well. His experiences, dedication, commitment and integrity makes him perfect for this position. I'm looking forward to working and collaborating with him in his new role. Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call or email me. Aloha, Kevin Ishida Vice Chancellor for Administration University of Hawai?i - West O?ahu NOTICE: The contents of this email message and any attachments are intended solely for the addressee(s) and may contain confidential and/or privileged information and may be legally protected from disclosure. If you are not the intended recipient of this message or their agent, or if this message has been addressed to you in error, please immediately alert the sender by reply email and then delete this message and any attachments. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any use, dissemination, copying, or storage of this message or its attachments is strictly prohibited*. rage 1 01 a Dear Chief Kealoha, I wanted to take this opportunity to write you a letter of support regarding Major Ryan Borges of the Honolulu Police Department (HPD). As you are aware, I was a member of the HPD 86th Recruit Class to which Major Borges was a part of I make this letter of support for Major Borges having known him for over thirty (30) years. lam pleased to articulate my complete support of Major Borges as a former member of HPD and prior to my retirement as a federal agent with a Top Secret Clearance serving in two Field Offices of the Secret Service and as a Senior Special Agent assigned to the Public Corruption Squad of the FBI Washington Field Office. Having served as Resident Agent in Charge, I recognize the ongoing assessment of character, integrity, and dedication which are requisite cornerstones in consideration of promotion to higher ranks in law enforcement agencies. Major Borges has served with honor and distinction over the past thirty years as a member of HPD. In law enforcement, we have and are always held to standards which supercede requirements of any other profession in our society. Often, we encounter events in our personal lives to which we are judged under the strictest of parameters. On these rare occasions, we rely on a process of adjudication and discipline which far exceeds any standards of other professions. Major Borges in my opinion, had dedicated his life and career to the service of the citizens of the City and County of Honolulu while serving in a myriad of assignments along the way. While Major Borges was at the FBI National Academy, was in frequent contact with him as I still have contacts there. My former colleagues there had the highest regards for Major Borges and he represented the HPD with distinction and honor. I have maintained contact with Major Borges since my departure from HPD and can say without fear of contradiction, Major Borges is a fine family man, son, father, and husband, and he is an honest man worthy of Trust and Confidence. I would finally opine, his ethics and integrity are above reproach and Ryan enjoys my complete trust and confidence as an administrator of the HPD. In closing, I have not seen you since Fort Ruger, but I am proud of your accomplished leadership as Chief and i am equally proud of Ryan not only as a Police Official, but as a pillar of the community he currently serves. Thank you for your service and wisdom and while this letter will not serve to sway policy, I wished to share my thoughts and recommendations as they relate to your decision to promote Major Borges to Assistant Chief. lam certain i am not alone in my support of your decision to promote Ryan. 2/8/2016 rage or A If you have any questions relating to this letter, please don't hesitate to contact me. As always, Mahalo for your service, dedication and sacrifices you have made in making Honolulu a safe place to live and raise the Ghana. i hope to catch up with you sometime on one of my trips back home to catch up on a lifetime since graduation from the academy. Very Truly Yours, Roger 2/8/20] 6 Aloha Chief Kealoha, have known Major Ryan Borges for 20 years. During these years of our acquaintance and working relationship Major Borges has been in many capacities. He has worked tirelessly and proved himself to be a great leader and mentor to many including myself in law enforcement. have worked as a public servant for the last 30 years and am honored to have the opportunity to work with Major Borges, lam currently the Oahu Branch Chief for the Department and Land and Natural Resources Enforcement Division on Oahu, and have personally learned valuable leadership skills from working with Major Ryan Borges. I reside in the Koolaupoko and Koolauloa districts on the island of Oahu and have seen firsthand the strong community support for the Honolulu Police Department and other law enforcement agencies; this is credit to Major Borges strong leadership skills, hard work and dedication to your department my years in law enforcement I had the opportunity to work with many leaders in the Honolulu Police Department, and Major Borges is the epitome of a great leader and in no doubt this leadership skill will contribute to the success of your department. [have a high respect for the Honolulu Police Department and Major Ryan Borges and highly recommend him for the position of Assistant Chief, i am confident that Major Ryan Borges will fulfill all responsibilities and challenges with skill, conviction, and determination. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Submitted Respectiyely Guy Chang