Hawaii County police honored its dispatchers and call takers yesterday in honor of National Public Safety Telecommunications Week.

At an employee luncheon funded by private donations, Chief Harry Kubojiri thanked the dispatchers for their work and said their voices have "a calming effect" on both callers and police officers during "a hectic situation."

Deputy Chief Paul Ferreira said police don't express their gratitude to dispatchers as often as they should. "In our eyes, believe me, you are appreciated," he said.