WAILUKU - As October was proclaimed National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, local groups recognized a Maui police officer who has been active in organizations working to end domestic violence.

Ron Tamanaha, who has specialized in investigating domestic violence for 12 of his 25 years as a police officer, was presented with a certificate of appreciation from the Maui County Domestic Violence Task Force and TRO Subcommittee.

For the past three years, Tamanaha has been acting sergeant in charge of the Maui Police Department's domestic violence unit, talking with victims of domestic violence, doing community presentations and participating in organizations focused on the widespread problem.

"His job is representing the Police Department, but he goes above and beyond," said Craig Hirayasu, chairman of the Maui County Domestic Violence Task Force. "He is a very active member."

Hirayasu, supervisor the Domestic Violence Unit of the state probation department on Maui, said Tamanaha has written grant applications for the task force to obtain funding for training.

When people need help or advice, they often turn to Tamanaha.

"He is the person that they do call," Hirayasu said. "He's very approachable."

Just after receiving the certificate of appreciation during a proclamation ceremony earlier this month, Tamanaha got word that a relative of a woman in an abusive relationship wanted to talk to him.

He said he typically talks to eight to 12 victims in a week, at times making followup contacts after abuse has been reported to police. Part of his job is trying to educate people about the cycle of domestic violence and resources available for victims.

"They know they have someone to turn to in the event they need to leave," he said.

At times, cultural and religious backgrounds and finances make it difficult for victims to leave or report abusive relationships, he said.

"No matter how much we educate, get people to be aware of what's going on, there are still going to be unreported cases," Tamanaha said.

He said domestic violence affects people "no matter how rich you are, how poor you are, what position you hold in the community."

Since the Maui Police Department began tracking domestic violence cases in January 1992, the number of abuse cases reported annually in Maui County has more than doubled. Last year, 4,364 abuse cases were reported for a 155 percent increase over the 1,710 cases in 1992.

Through September this year, 2,820 abuse cases have been reported. Police also have investigated 102 temporary restraining order violations, 161 violations of protective orders and 405 other domestic violence-related incidents in the first nine months of this year.

Last year, police made 493 arrests for abuse.

Through September of this year, there were 359 arrests for abuse as well as 219 arrests for violations of temporary restraining orders and orders for protection.

Tamanaha is an instructor on domestic violence for MPD officers and participates in community organizations including the Maui County Domestic Violence Task Force, Coalition to End Abuse, Hawaii Citizens Review Panel, Maui Children's Physical Abuse and Neglect Committee, West Maui Domestic Violence Task Force, Maui Men Against Domestic Violence, TRO Subcommittee and Pilipina Rural Project.

Tamanaha, who will retire from MPD on Dec. 1, said he has been involved because he wants to help victims, as do others who work in the field.

"We work hand in hand to advocate for a domestic violence-free community," he said. "Maybe someday that will happen."