The Real Hawaii Five-o

Aloha! My name is Sonny and I’m from Guam, U.S.A.

I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Justice Administration (JADM) from Hawaii Pacific University (HPU) in 1999. In 2010, I graduated with a Master’s degree in Communication (MACOM) also from HPU. In May, 2014, I graduated from the University of Southern California with a doctorate in Leadership in Urban Education (Ed.D.).

I am currently a Lieutenant in a large municipal police department in the state of Hawaii. In my 21+ years, I have been in patrol, Traffic, Burglary/Theft, Criminal Investigation Division (CID), etc. as an officer and sergeant/Detective. I was also briefly employed as a Canine Enforcement Officer for the legacy US Customs Service in 2002.

I have been a criminal justice (CJ) adjunct professor since 2011 with 700+ hours of teaching experience. I have taught/mentored mainly adult learners, ranging from 18-48 years old. These included many former/current law enforcement (LE) & military and those wanting careers in LE & military. My method of teaching is in-depth inquiry/discussion of relevant CJ topics normally seen in CJ textbooks mixed in with what I have experienced in 21 years in LE in Hawaii.

I have taught online and in-person classes with as few students as three (3) to as many as forty three (43). I have personally seen several of my former students move on to successful careers in LE!

I can help/tutor you by: (1) improving your public speaking skill set for job/supervisory panel interviews and classrooms, (2) giving feedback on academic writing assignments before you submit them to your professors, (3) showing you how to research for academic material/citations so you can reinforce your writing, (4) prepping you for government LE job applications & written exams, (5) improving your resume/CV, (6) coaching you on the graduate/post doctorate thesis & dissertation process.