Police Chief Harry Kubojiri promoted Maj. Paul Kealoha to assistant chief, the Hawaii County Police Department announced Wednesday.

Kealoha will replace Assistant Chief Henry Tavares to head operations in West Hawaii, effective July 18.

Tavares will transfer to operations in East Hawaii.

Kealoha, a graduate of the FBI National Academy, joined the department in 1985 and has worked in West Hawaii for 24 of his 26 years on the police force.

He has served as major in charge of administrative services for the last two years.