22 Years Longer Than Originally Planned: Lt. Kim Masse’s Committed Service to Lāna‘i
By Anthony Kaauamo
Lieutenant Kimberly Masse, a dedicated member of the Maui Police Department’s Lāna‘i Patrol District since 2001, began her journey in law enforcement following in her family’s footsteps and a tenure in the U.S. Navy. Her career took root in the Wailuku Patrol District, but it was her transfer to the Lāna‘i Patrol District that defined her path.
Initially intending to only remain for a year on Lāna‘i, Kim’s plans changed six months in when she met the love of her life, Kenneth Kaniho. Choosing to stay, she served as the school resource officer at Lāna‘i High & Elementary School and remained there for eight years before returning to patrol and earning a promotion to sergeant in 2010.
Her promotion to sergeant led her to the Lāhainā Patrol District, but her ties to Lāna‘i remained strong, and she returned in 2011 as the second sergeant. Inspired by Lieutenant (now Captain) Joy Medeiros, Kim moved forward in her career as acting lieutenant after Captain Medeiros returned to Wailuku. She passed the exam for promotion and was advanced to Lieutenant in November 2022.
Kim’s approach to law enforcement on Lāna‘i was shaped by the close-knit nature of the community. She understood the importance of mutual support and empathy in small communities, which influenced her policing style. Her initiatives, including the Kahiau Project, Women’s History Month, the Spring Fair, and the Pride Festival and Parade, were not just programs but bridges connecting the police with the community.
Upon retiring in February, Kim looked back on a career not just defined by her roles, but by the strong relationships and meaningful contributions she made on Lāna‘i.
“I am proud to have served our community, working my way through the ranks, to serve in many different capacities. This community is very special and near and dear to my heart! I have been blessed to have had so many great relationships, and I hope that I was an asset to our community. Kenneth and I are not leaving the island, this is our home! Some of you still call me Officer Kim, which I’ve always endeared, some call me Lieutenant, but after February first, I will just be Kim. Thank you for being part of my life and career, see you around town.”
Others’ words on Lt. Masse’s unfaltering aid...
Kelli Maltezo, who has worked closely with Kim, expressed her admiration for Kim’s unwavering support and dedication to their professional collaboration. Kelli, involved with child and adult protective services, emphasized how Kim has always been her go-to person for assistance and guidance.
“Working alongside Kim has been nothing short of fantastic,” Kelli stated. “Her responsiveness and willingness to support me in various capacities have been a blessing. Even before her promotion to lieutenant, I could always count on her. It’s not just professional collaboration; it’s also a friendship that has developed over time.”
Kelli went on to describe the ease of working with Kim, highlighting her accessibility and dependability. “Kim’s presence has been instrumental, especially for someone like me who also has to work on Maui. Having that kind of connection to law enforcement on Lāna‘i is invaluable. She’s been a reliable partner in our efforts.”
Reflecting on the importance of Kim’s decision to make Lāna‘i her home, Kelli shared, “For our community, having police officers commit to living here is crucial. Historically, officers often rotated in and out, but Kim’s choice to stay and make Lāna‘i her home made a significant difference. It humanizes the police force for our community, and it strengthens the bond between residents and law enforcement.”
Kelli emphasized Kim’s leadership qualities, describing her as community-oriented and praising her for organizing events like the Lāna‘i Family Fun Day and Youth Empowerment Workshops that fostered positive interactions between the police and the community.
Regarding Kim’s retirement, Kelli acknowledged the professional and personal impact it would have. She mentioned their joint role as forensic interviewers for child abuse cases, highlighting the void that Kim’s retirement would create in that important area of their work. However, she expressed excitement for Kim’s new chapter and the well-deserved break from the demanding responsibilities of law enforcement.
Kelli concluded with gratitude and congratulations, thanking Kim for her support, commitment to the Lāna‘i community, and her exceptional service as both a law enforcement officer and a caring individual. She wished Kim all the best in her retirement and looked forward to seeing her transition into a new phase of life.
… generous nature …
Valerie Janikowski, the program administrator/registered nurse of Lāna‘i Kinā‘ole, where Kim serves as the board president, shared her admiration for Kim’s behind-the-scenes work in various community events. “There are so many community events and programs that she’s behind the scenes of,” Val noted. “Like the Lāna‘i Kinā‘ole annual health fair. She’s done all the paperwork, the permitting, and takes no credit. It’s about the community, not her or the Maui Police Department.”
Val highlighted Kim’s generous nature, especially in projects like the Kahiau Project, an annual initiative that provides holiday gifts to families in need. “She makes sure those kids get a big bag filled with new toys and clothes.”
Describing Kim’s personality, Val said, “Some people may not know it, but she’s really got the kindest heart, very sensitive for being such a strong individual.” She likened Kim to another local figure, Aunty Maggie Massicampo, noting their tough exterior but soft heart.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Val had a lot of interaction with Kim. “She was directly connected with HIEMA and MEMA, acting as the liaison for the medical people,” she explained. “She was the go-to person, the funnel for the latest and greatest information, keeping everyone on the same page.”
Finally, Val expressed her personal admiration for Kim. “She’s my friend, a leader, a survivor and a mentor. She’s retiring, but she’s not going anywhere. This is her home. She sees Lāna‘i as her turf. She’s earned people’s trust and her place here and she’ll stay involved. She just won’t be wearing a badge.”
… and lasting impact on Lāna‘i.
Tessie Morimoto, now the judicial clerk for the Lāna‘i District Court, and formerly the office operations assistant for the MPD Lāna‘i District from 2005 until 2022, shared her insights on working alongside Kim. “Kim developed a lot of projects that benefited the community,” Tessie said. “Like the Kahiau Project, which she developed when she was a school resource officer. It’s something that really speaks to the type of leadership she’s well known for: very youth-oriented, family-oriented, community-oriented.”
“She’s very passionate about service to others,” Tessie said, highlighting Kim’s commitment to initiating programs like Women’s History Month and the Spring Fair, “which were not just programs but bridges connecting the police with the community.”
On Kim’s leadership journey, Tessie pointed out, “Her promotion to sergeant and later to lieutenant was a natural progression of her leadership abilities. She always led by example, inspiring not just her peers but also the community with her proactive approach to problem solving and community engagement.”
Tessie also shared that Kim’s dedication to Lāna‘i was evident from the start. “When I first started, we often had officers rotating in and out of the district. They would do a one-year term of duty on Lāna‘i and then they go back to Maui. She was one of the few people at the time who was willing to make Lāna‘i her permanent home and invest herself in the community,” Tessie continued, “It’s funny because even though she became a lieutenant and hasn’t been a patrol officer or school resource officer for a long time, people still often call her Officer Kim. And I think this is because that’s how far back her history here goes.”
As Kim embarks on her well-deserved retirement, Tessie reflected on the impact Kim has had. “The connection she has built with Lāna‘i is lasting. Her work has laid a strong foundation for how law enforcement and communities can work together. We will deeply miss her presence but are excited for her as she starts this new chapter.”