History is being made in Honolulu as the city prepares to welcome David Lazar, a retired San Francisco police official, as the next chief of the Honolulu Police Department — the first outside hire to lead HPD in 94 years. The Honolulu Police Commission voted 5–2 to select Lazar, choosing a mainland candidate who has never served in HPD but has promised to bring modernization, data-driven policing, transparency, and stronger community trust to the department. The decision has sparked strong local discussion, especially after a State of Hawaiʻi Organization of Police Officers survey showed nearly 90% of HPD officers preferred local candidate Mike Lambert, a former HPD major with 21 years of experience in the department. While many residents and officers may feel divided over the choice, this historic moment now calls for unity, accountability, and a shared commitment to helping Honolulu move forward together.