HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
EAST HAWAII CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION SECTION
DETECTIVE GREG ESTEBAN
PHONE: 961-2384
APRIL 22, 2005

MEDIA RELEASE

Members of the Hawaii County Police Department and their families and friends are planning the 15th annual Hawaii Police Commemorative Fund Tournament, scheduled for May 13-15, 2005, at the Kawananakoa Gymnasium and Hualani Park field in Keaukaha.

The three-day, multi-sport event is a fundraising tournament with the proceeds generated going towards scholarships at both the University of Hawaii at Hilo and Hawaii Community College in memory of Hawaii County police officers killed in the line of duty.

The tournament was started following the death of Officer Ronald “Shige” Jitchaku, who was killed on May 7, 1990, while attempting to break up a large brawl on Banyan Drive in Hilo.

In memory of Officer Jitchaku, the “Shige 5K Fun Run” and 1.5 Mile Walk were established as events in this tournament.

Other events include the “Manuel Cadinha Memorial Softball Tournament,” which will be held in memory of Officer Manuel Cadinha, who was killed while making an arrest of a combative male in 1918. This year’s softball tournament will be held at the softball field next to the gymnasium.

In addition, the “Kenneth K. Keliipio Memorial Co-ed Softball Tournament,” named in memory of Officer Kenneth Keliipio, a South Hilo Patrol officer who was killed in a motor vehicle collision while assisting a stranded motorist in 1997. The tournament will also be held at the ball field during the weekend (May 13-15).

Also, the “Daison ‘Froggie’ Morita Mixed Volleyball Tournament” was established in memory of Daison Morita, an airport firefighter who was killed in a motor vehicle collision in 1998. Morita had been actively involved in every facet of the tournament since its inception in 1990. The volleyball tournament will be played at the gymnasium.

In addition, a basketball tournament is also scheduled for the same weekend, also at the gym, as part of the three-day event.

Finally, a golf tournament will be held Sunday, May 15, at the Naniloa Banyan Golf Course with check-in time at 7 a.m. and tee time at 8 a.m. Applications can be picked up and dropped off at the Naniloa Golf Course or the Hilo Police Station at 349 Kapiolani Street. Walkers are also welcome to participate.

Two scholarships have been established at the University of Hawaii’s Administration of Justice program in memory of Officers Jitchaku and Keliipio.

Two other scholarships have also been established in memory of both officers at the Hawaii Community College, Administration of Justice program.

A total of $24,800 generated from the annual tournament has thus far been donated towards the scholarships.

Teams or individuals wanting more information about this community event, which is open to the public, are asked to contact the following event coordinators:

“Kenneth K. Keliipio Memorial Co-ed Softball Tournament” — Officer Masa Pagay, 925-9687 or 961-8892.

“Shige 5K Fun Run” and 1.5 mile walk — Lieutenant Mitch Kanehailua, 326-4646, Ext. 226.

“Manuel Cadinha Memorial Softball Tournament” — Officer Masa Pagay, 925-9687 or 961-8892.

“Daison ‘Froggie’ Morita Mixed Volleyball” — Tammy Kealoha, 331-4715 (pager).

Basketball — Lieutenant Randy Apele, 326-4646, Ext. 230.

Golf Tournament — Officer John Stewart and Sergeant Darren Horio, 961-2211.

Event Chairman — Detective Greg Esteban, 961-2384.

Questions about the scholarships can be directed to the Financial Aid Department of the University of Hawaii at Hilo and Hawaii Community College.

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