Police Week Kicks Off With Ceremony in Hilo

The community has gathered at the Hilo police station this morning to celebrate Police Week and honor Hawaiʻi police officers who have fallen in the line of duty.

Those officers honored include:

• Officer Manuel Cadinha, who gave his life in 1918.
• Officer William “Red” Oili, who gave his life in 1936.
• Officer Ronald “Shige” Jitchaku, who gave his life in 1990.
• Officer Kenneth Keliipio, who gave his life in 1997.
• Park Ranger Steve Makuakane-Jarrell, who gave his life in 1999.
• Officer Bronson Kaimana Kaliloa, who was killed in the line of duty on July 18, 2018.

A ceremony will be held at the Kona police station on Wednesday, May 18.

Police Week is a nationally recognized week of activities in support of police work and in recognition of officers who have died or been disabled in the line of duty. In 1962, President John F. Kennedy proclaimed every May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week it falls in as National Police Week.

In Hawaiʻi County, Police Week activities will take place from Monday, May 16, through Friday, May 20, 2022.