HILO, Hawai'i — Big Island Police Chief Lawrence K. Mahuna, who worked to mend his department's public image and led the police mobilization for the county's "War on Ice" early this decade, has announced he will retire from the department at the end of this year.

Mahuna has already notified the Big Island Police Commission and his top command staff, Deputy Chief Harry Kubojiri said today.

Mahuna, who turns 58 tomorrow, took charge of the department in late 2002. He is the Big Island's 11th police chief, and Mahuna is a 35-year veteran of the department.

The county police commission will now select a new chief.