MEDIA RELEASE

Ka Malu Aloha, a newly-unveiled memorial, honors Hawaiʻi Island police officers killed in the line of duty.

A memorial wall dedicated to Hawaiʻi Island officers killed in the line of duty was unveiled and blessed Monday (May 16) at a Police Week ceremony at the South Hilo police station.

The monument named Ka Malu Aloha means “The Shelter of Aloha.” It honors the four Hawaiʻi Police Department officers killed in the line of duty since 1918: Manuel Cadinha (1918), William “Red” Oili (1936), Ronald “Shige” Jitchaku (1990) and Kenneth Keliipio (1997).

The memorial was the brainchild of Jitchaku’s sister, Momi Cazimero, who said her mission to create it began with the loss of her brother on May 7, 1990.

“A monument represents a group hug into perpetuity,” Cazimero said. She explained that the granite center of the monument represents the fallen officers, the rocks surrounding it represent open arms of people, and a thin blue light represents police officers.

Candles burn in honor of fallen officers Manuel Cadinha, William “Red” Oili, Ronald “Shige” Jitchaku and Kenneth Keliipio.

Other Police Week speakers who honored the fallen officers and commended Cazimero for following her dream included the governor’s Hawaiʻi Island liaison, Wil Okabe, Mayor Billy Kenoi and Police Chief Harry Kubojiri. The tribute included a 21-gun salute, “Taps” and a candle-lighting ceremony.

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation designating May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which it falls as Police Week. Another Police Week ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday (May 17) at the Kona police station. The public is invited to attend.