HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A Honolulu Police Department commander was demoted this week after being accused of sharing confidential information about a teen sexual assault victim, including the girl’s name and other personal details.
Ryan Nishibun, who has more than 35 years of service with HPD, has served as the acting deputy chief of field operations since last August, following the retirement of Keith Horikawa.
An internal HPD memo shows that as of Sunday, March 1, Nishibun was removed from that role and is now the assistant chief of the administrative bureau.
Information spread to social media
HNN Investigates has learned that Nishibun is accused of giving the confidential information to a friend. The message, which included the juvenile victim’s name and personal details, ended up on social media.
Retired HPD deputy chief John McCarthy said the alleged conduct is especially serious because the victim is a minor.
“It is such an egregious offense,” McCarthy said, “Releasing juvenile names is just an absolute no-no.”
Juveniles are given a lot of protection. “Then here you are, you turn around and release something like that in written form, even worse.”
McCarthy said the leak compounds the harm to the victim.
“There’s a violation to the victim already. And then now you’re going out, and by circulating this information, there’s almost a second violation that takes place — with the victim being subject to ridicule or questions or bullying, whatever the case might be,” McCarthy said.
Internal investigation underway; further discipline possible
HPD confirms that an internal administrative investigation has been launched, but said in a statement, “the nature of the allegation will not be disclosed to prevent compromising the investigation.”
Nishibun could face additional consequences beyond the demotion once that internal case is complete.
Because Nishibun is an assistant chief, only the two deputy chiefs above him can recommend discipline. Then, the chief of police can take those recommendations or not.
Copyright 2026 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.
