Alberta Pukahi, captain of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Department of Public Safety (DPS), recently passed away. Pukahi was known and loved by many at UH Mānoa, where she was the first female captain at DPS.
Pukahi, a Native Hawaiian who was born and raised on Oʻahu, began working at UH Mānoa in 1987 as a security officer. While working at UH Mānoa, Pukahi began actively pursuing her educational goals. In 2000, Pukahi earned her associate’s degree in Administration of Justice from Honolulu Community College, and in 2010, she earned a bachelor’s degree in public administration from UH West Oʻahu. Throughout this time, she rose through the ranks at DPS, first being promoted to sergeant, and then to captain in 2012. In 2011, Pukahi was recognized by Top Cop Hawaiʻi for leading a special task force to prevent further burglaries at cash-handling locations on campus, and for working closely with the Women’s Center, judicial office and student affairs on sexual assault cases.
DPS Chief Andrew Black said, “Captain Alberta Pukahi loved the University of Hawaiʻi, those who worked for the university, its students, and the women and men who served with UH Mānoa Department of Public Safety. She served with distinction and aloha, and she will be greatly missed.”
Sgt. Bridget Evangelista-Gouveia said, “Pukahi was a person dedicated to helping others and had made a big impact to those that looked to her for help and guidance. She was someone that improved the lives of many in her department as well as the community in which she served. She uplifted women and encouraged them to push forward and bring about change. She was quoted as saying, ‘It’s all about making a positive change on Campus.’ And that she did.”
Pukahi was an active member of several community organizations, including the National Coalition Building Institute, the Federal Law Enforcement Foundation, the UH Commission on the Status of Women and the UH Commission on the Status of LGBTI (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Intersex) Equality. She retired in 2023 after 36 years of service to UH Mānoa. Pukahi will be missed by her family, friends and colleagues.
Celebration of Alberta Pukahi’s Life will be held on Friday, July 12, at Mililani Mortuary–Makai Chapel. Visitation at 9 a.m. Services at 10 a.m. Urn burial at 11 a.m. (short walk from the chapel in Section E). Lunch will be served back at the chapel.
