For his ongoing dedication supporting the Special Olympics Hawai‘i program as a track and field coach and a Special Olympics Torch Runner, South Kohala Patrol Officer Michael Abran was honored with the Haweo Award during a ceremony held at Hawai‘i County Council chambers in Kona on Wednesday, October 16, 2024.
A 14-year veteran of the department, Officer Abran first became involved in Special Olympics Hawai‘i nine years ago while serving in the Kona Community Policing Section. During the five years he served as a School Resource Officer for Konawaena Middle School, he participated in the “Badges and Buckets” event, formerly known as “Cop on Top”, in which off-duty police officers and Special Olympics athletes raise awareness and funding for Special Olympics Hawai‘i events.
Since those initial interactions with the athletes, Officer Abran has continued to be involved in various aspects of the Special Olympics Hawai‘i program, inspired by the athletes’ courage and determine both on and off the field. Officer Abran volunteers as a Special Olympics coach, and states that one of his most heartwarming memories as a program participant was coaching an athlete at the Hawai’i State Special Olympics competition on Oahu who went on to be named 2023 Special Olympics Male Athlete of the Year.
In addition to coaching, Officer Abran has also organized and participated in the Annual Special Olympics Torch Run, which kicks off the opening ceremonies of the local Special Olympic games held on Hawai‘i Island.
Officer Abran’s dedication to this program, while both on- and off-duty, has allowed him to be selected as a representative of the Hawai’i Police Department and the State of Hawai’i as a “Guardian of the Flame” participant.
As such, he will be involved as a member on the Final Leg Team, which has the honor of carrying the Special Olympics Torch to the opening ceremonies at the 2025 Special Olympic World Winter Games in Torino, Italy next March.
Currently, Officer Abran is assigned to the South Kohala Patrol District, where he serves the communities of Waimea, Waikoloa, Waikii, Kawaihae, Puako and the South Kohala Resorts.
His supervisors describe him as self-motivated and a continuous learner who instills confidence, respect, and trust among his fellow officers, supervisors, and the public.
