Nolan Espinda, former head of Hawaii’s Department of Public Safety, dies

The former head of the Hawaii Department of Public Safety died Thursday, DPS officials confirmed.

Nolan Espinda, who retired as DPS director in 2020 amid criticism over the department’s handling of COVID-19 outbreaks in Hawaii prisons, was found dead at Kailua Beach of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, Civil Beat and Hawaii News Now reported Thursday evening.

DPS did not release any details on the circumstances of his death, but the Honolulu Medical Examiner confirmed it opened a case Thursday for a man found dead of a gunshot wound at Kailua Beach.

DPS officials issued a statement from current DPS Director Max Otani, saying, ”Former Director Nolan Espinda dedicated his entire career to corrections and to serving the people of the state of Hawaii. His tragic, untimely loss leaves us all stunned. We want to express our deepest condolences to his family and his PSD ohana.”

Malia Espinda issued an emailed statement this afternoon regarding her husband’s death, “My husband, Nolan Espinda, dedicated almost 40 years of his life to public service for the State of Hawaii. Nolan was the most brilliant, visionary, and principled man I have ever known. ‘Just do the Right thing every time’ was his mantra and he held an unwavering core value of his personal responsibility to every taxpayer in Hawaii. Nolan was a man of few words, but a man of strong actions and stronger convictions. Acting on his convictions inevitably brought resistance and criticism from some who misunderstood his purpose. With the strength of his broad shoulders, Nolan endured through all, until he could no more. We have lost a beautiful, deeply loving man who his children and I will miss forevermore.”

Gov. David Ige said in a written statement, “Nolan Espinda’s career was spent serving the public in Hawaii’s corrections facilities and administration, jobs that are always difficult and often thankless. I am saddened by this sudden and tragic loss, and I express my deepest appreciation for Nolan’s dedication and years of public service. I wish his family strength and comfort in the difficult days ahead.”

Espinda began his career as a recreation specialist at the Hawaii Youth Correctional Facility in 1983, worked his way up to become warden of the Oahu Community Correctional Center, and became DPS director in 2015.

In a separate message to DPS staff, Otani wrote, “It is with heavy heart and sadness that I am informing you of the passing of Former Director Nolan Espinda. He was a career PSD employee, who rose from being a line staff to warden and eventually became our director for six years. His contributions to the department will not be forgotten. Please send your thoughts and prayers to his family as they go through this difficult time.”

Otani’s message also offered counseling resources for employees.

In September 2020, Espinda announced his retirement about a week after the United Public Workers and Hawaii Government Employee Association called for his ouster as the coronavirus infected hundreds of Hawaii prison inmates and employees.

Born in 1957, Espinda was a 1975 ‘Iolani School alumnus and a graduate of California State University at Chico.