KPD Officers Earn MADD Award for Outstanding Traffic Safety Efforts
LĪHU‘E – The Kauaʻi Police Department (KPD) is proud to announce that Officer Desmond Thain and Officer Kalani Scanlan have received the 2026 Law Enforcement Recognition Award from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Hawaiʻi.
The award recognizes law enforcement professionals whose commitment to preventing impaired driving through enforcement and education helps save lives and keep Hawai‘i’s roadways safe.
Since joining KPD in 2020, Officer Thain has demonstrated a strong commitment to impaired driving enforcement. Over the past four years, he has made 66 arrests for Operating a Vehicle Under the Influence of an Intoxicant (OVUII), including 24 arrests in 2025. He has also issued 317 warnings, using each interaction as an opportunity to educate drivers and encourage safer choices.
Officer Scanlan, who began his service with the department in 2023, has made an impact through his proactive approach to traffic safety. He has made 11 OVUII arrests, including seven this year, while conducting numerous traffic stops to promote responsible driving choices and reinforce the importance of safe decisions behind the wheel.
“Preventing crashes and ensuring everyone makes it home safely is at the heart of what our officers do,” said Chief Rudy Tai. “Officer Thain and Officer Scanlan have demonstrated that every conversation with a driver is an opportunity to intervene, encourage safer choices, and help prevent a decision that could have life-changing consequences.”
MADD Hawaiʻi has spent more than 40 years working to eliminate impaired driving, support victims and survivors, and advocate for safer roads through education, policy, and community partnerships.
The Kaua‘i Police Department reminds everyone that preventing impaired driving is a shared responsibility. Plan ahead, designate a sober driver, and never drive while impaired.
From left to right: Chief Rudy Tai, Officer Desmond Thain, and Sgt. Darin Irimata.
Chief Rudy Tai and Officer Kalani Scanlan. Photo courtesy of MADD Hawaiʻi.
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