Public Invited to Attend Police Week Festivities
Hawai‘i Island residents and visitors are invited to attend 2026 Police Week festivities, including station tours, during the national observance next week.
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 11, through Friday, May 15, 2026.
The public is invited to attend formal Police Week ceremonies on Monday, May 11, at 10:00 a.m., at the Hilo police station and Friday, May 15, at 11:00 a.m. at the West Hawaii Civic Center. Both ceremonies include pre-ceremony entertainment and a tribute to Hawaiʻi County officers who gave their lives in the line of duty.
Police will pay tribute to:
Captain T.N. Simeona, who was killed in the line of duty in 1890.
Officer Michol Octobre, who was killed in the line of duty in 1916.
Officer Manuel Cadinha, who was killed in the line of duty in 1918.
Officer William “Red” Oili, who was killed in the line of duty in 1936.
Officer Ronald “Shige” Jitchaku, who was killed in the line of duty 1990.
Officer Kenneth Keliipio, who was killed in the line of duty 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.
“Police Week is a somber reminder that the men and women of this department place their lives on the line every shift of every day,” said Police Chief Reed Mahuna. “Police Week also gives us a chance to pause and remember the officers who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their communities, while also recognizing the dedication of those who continue to serve every day. Policing is more than a profession, it’s a commitment to serving others, often during their most difficult moments. This week is a reminder of the responsibility we carry and the trust our island community places in us.”
Bios of each fallen officer can be viewed on the police department’s website: https://www.hawaiipolice.gov/about-us/in-memoriam/
During Police Week, members of the public are encouraged to attend station tours at the Hilo Police station on Friday, May 15, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. To schedule an appointment, call Officer Kaipokoka Aurello at (808) 961-3381.
Members of the public who want to attend station tours at the Kealakehe Police Station between May 11 and May 15, are encouraged to schedule an appointment for a tour with Sergeant Wyattlane Nahale at the Kealakehe Police Station, (808) 326-4646, ext. 259, or by email wyattlane.nahale@hawaiipolice.gov.
