Hawaii Island Police Week festivities are scheduled for May 13-17.
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, a statement from the Hawaii Police Department said.
In 1962, President John F. Kennedy proclaimed every May 15 would serve as Peace Officers Memorial Day and that the week during which it falls would be known as National Police Week.
The public is invited to attend formal Police Week ceremonies Monday, May 13, at 10 a.m. at the Hilo police station and Tuesday, May 14, at 10 a.m. at the Kona police station, the release read. Both ceremonies include pre-ceremony entertainment and a tribute to Hawaii County officers who have died in the line of duty.
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; Officer Kenneth Keliipio, who gave his life in 1997; Park Ranger Steve Makuakane-Jarrell, who gave his life in 1999; and most recently, Officer Bronson Kaimana Kaliloa, who was killed in the line of duty on July 18, 2018.
During Police Week, station tours for all districts will be offered to the public, police said. Station tours at the Hilo Police station will be on Friday, May 17, with tours being held at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Call Sergeant Jason Grouns at 961-2269 to schedule an appointment.