Hawaii's Department of Law Enforcement graduated its largest class of deputy sheriffs yet, a modest boost for a state agency still building itself out.

• Eighteen new deputy sheriffs finished a six-month training program and were sworn in at a weekend ceremony.
• The department now has about 300 deputy sheriffs on the force.
• It became its own state agency more than two years ago and has been growing since.
• A father and son were among the graduating recruits.

Outlook: More recruit classes are likely as the young department keeps filling out its ranks.