• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Emergency   911   or Contact   (808) 529-3111  

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Tik Tok
Honolulu Police Department

Honolulu Police Department

Honolulu Police Department

Honolulu Police Department

  • Organization
  • Info & Resources
  • Community Programs
  • Careers
  • Police Services
  • About Us

Detective Chang Apana

Served from 1898 to 1932

Chang Apana’s legendary career as a police officer in Honolulu began in 1898. Although he was small in stature, only 5 feet tall, he was bigger than life. He was the only officer allowed to carry a bullwhip instead of a gun. Chief William Gabrielson credited Detective Apana’s ability to solve many cases to his fluency in Hawaiian and Cantonese, his wide network of informants, and his shrewd and meticulous detective style. During his career, he was stabbed six times, thrown out a second-story window; and run over with a horse and buggy. Each time, Detective Apana managed to apprehend his suspect.

His exploits attracted the attention of novelist, Earl Derr Biggers, who is said to have created the character “Charlie Chan” after Detective Apana.

Inducted on May 15, 2008

Primary Sidebar

  • About Us
    • Mission Statement
    • History
    • Our Badge
    • Our Chiefs
    • Roll of Honor
    • Hall of Fame
    • Maika`i Loa
    • Workin’ Joe Logan
    • FAQ
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Tik Tok

Footer

The Honolulu Police Department (Official Site)

An Equal Opportunity Employer
Honolulu Police Department 801 South Beretania Street Honolulu, HI 96813
City and County of Honolulu
Emergency 911 or Contact (808)529-3111
Disclaimer

Contact Us

Sitemap

  • Organization
  • Info & Resources
  • Community Programs
  • Careers
  • Police Services
  • About Us

Additional Links

  • Employment Opportunities
  • Youth Programs
  • Honolulu Police Commission
  • Real Time Traffic Updates
  • City & County of Honolulu
  • COVID-19 Information
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Tik Tok

Copyright © 2023 The Honolulu Police Department. All rights reserved. 
Return to top