Hawaiʻi Island invites you to participate in the 2025 Police Week festivities, a week-long event that honors and supports police work and recognizes officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice. This year, Police Week will take place from Monday, May 12, through Friday, May 16, 2025.
President John F. Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week it falls in as National Police Week in 1962, in honor of officers who have died or been disabled in the line of duty. In Hawaiʻi County, Police Week activities will span from Monday to Friday, with various events for the public to attend and participate in.
Formal Police Week ceremonies will be held on Monday, May 12, at 10:00 a.m. at the Hilo police station and Friday, May 16, at 11:00 a.m. at the West Hawaii Civic Center. Both ceremonies will feature pre-ceremony entertainment and a tribute to Hawaiʻi County officers who have given their lives in the line of duty. During the ceremonies, police will pay tribute to the following fallen officers:
- Captain T.N. Simeona (1890)
- Officer Michol Octobre (1916)
- Officer Manuel Cadinha (1918)
- Officer William “Red” Oili (1936)
- Officer Ronald “Shige” Jitchaku (1990)
- Officer Kenneth Keliipio (1997)
- Park Ranger Steve Makuakane-Jarrell (1999)
- Officer Bronson Kaimana Kaliloa (2018)
Bios of each fallen officer can be viewed on the police department’s website at https://www.hawaiipolice.gov/about-us/in-memoriam/.
In addition to the formal ceremonies, members of the public are encouraged to attend station tours at the Hilo Police station on Friday, May 16, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. To schedule an appointment, please contact Officer Kaipokoka Aurello at (808) 961-3381.
Join Hawaiʻi Island in honoring and remembering those who have given their lives in the line of duty. We look forward to welcoming you during the 2025 Police Week festivities.