The Hawaii Police Department observes Police Week, May 12 through 18, recognized nationwide in support of the work police do and officers who have died or become disabled in the line of duty.

What You Need To Know

  • The public is invited to attend formal Police Week ceremonies at 10 a.m. May 13 at the Hilo Police Station, and 11 a.m. May 17 at the West Hawaii Civic Center

  • Both ceremonies will include pre-ceremony entertainment and a tribute to Hawaii County officers

  • At the ceremony in Hilo, a new name – Hilo police officer Michol Octobre – will be unveiled on the Memorial Wall

  • There will also be tours available to the public at Hilo and Kona police stations from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 17

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, according to a news release.

The public is invited to attend formal Police Week ceremonies at 10 a.m. May 13 at the Hilo Police Station, and 11 a.m. May 17 at the West Hawaii Civic Center. There will also be tours available to the public at Hilo and Kona police stations from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 17. Call Sergeant Amy Omaya at 808-961-2264 to schedule an appointment.

Both ceremonies will include pre-ceremony entertainment and a tribute to Hawaii County officers, including:

  • Officer Manuel Cadinha, who gave his life in 1918
  • Officer William “Red” Oili, who gave his life in 1936
  • Officer Ronald “Shige” Jitchaku, 1990
  • Officer Kenneth Keliʻipio, 1997
  • Park Ranger Steve Makuakane-Jarrell, 1999
  • Officer Bronson Kaimana Kaliloa, killed in the line of duty on July 18, 2018
  • Police Captain T. Simeona, killed in the line of duty on Sept. 25, 1890

At the ceremony in Hilo, a new name – Hilo police officer Michol Octobre – will be unveiled on the Memorial Wall. The department just recently learned Octobre was murdered in a shootout with a suspect in Kalopa on Dec. 8, 1916.

At the time, serial killer Maxime Bondad was terrorizing the Hilo and Kalopa communities. Officer Octobre went undercover as a laborer to find Bondad. His investigation led to the serial killer’s suspected hiding place.

Together with Deputy Sheriff Rickard, Octobre ascended the Kalopa hillside and attempted a peaceful resolution by calling out to Bondad. Hiding in the brush, Bondad shot and fatally wounded Octobre. Officers returned gunfire and killed Bondad.

Sarah Yamanaka covers news and events for Spectrum News Hawaii. She can be reached at sarah.yamanaka@charter.com.

Editor’s note: A revision was made to clarify public tours would be available at the Hilo and Kona police stations on May 17. (May 12, 2024)