MEDIA RELEASE

Comedians Frank DeLima and Augie T. are among those scheduled to participate in Police Week festivities on the Big Island this month.

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 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week it falls in as Police Week. In Hawai’i County, Police Week activities this year are scheduled from Saturday, May 9, to Friday, May 15.

Formal Police Week ceremonies on the Big Island will be held on Saturday, May 9, at 10 a.m. at the Kona police station in Kealakehe and on Monday, May 11, at 9 a.m. at Police Headquarters in Hilo.

Both ceremonies include entertainment, a tribute to Hawai’i County police officers who gave their lives in the line of duty and an exhibition by the Special Response Team and Vice Sections. Refreshments will be served. The public is welcome.

Police will pay tribute to 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 and Officer Kenneth Keliipio, who gave his life in 1997.

Police week activities also include DARE Day 2009, at which approximately 1,000 elementary school students will be recognized at ceremonies in Hilo and Kona for completing Drug Abuse Resistance Education. They will take a pledge to remain drug free.

The Hilo DARE Day program will take place on Tuesday, May 12, at the University of Hawai’i at Hilo gymnasium. The Kona DARE Day event is on Thursday, May 14, at the Kekuaokalani Gym.

Both events will highlight student entertainment. The Hilo event will also include an exhibition by the Police Department’s Special Response Team and Vice Section.

Augie T. and “Living in Paradise” host Derek Kurisu will participate in the Hilo activity. Frank DeLima will be part of the Kona program.

Also during Police Week, police will hold station tours at the Hilo and Kona stations on Wednesday, May 13, and recognize volunteers from the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) during a private luncheon at the Hilo police station on Friday, May 15.