- Hawaii Police Department - https://www.hawaiipolice.com -

Police Commemorative Tournament 03/03/00

HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
349 KAPIOLANI STREET
HILO, HAWAII 96720
PHONE: 961-2346
MARCH 1, 2000

MEDIA RELEASE

Members of the Hawaii County Police Department, families and friends are planning the 10th annual Hawaii Police Commemorative Fund Tournament, which is scheduled for May 19-21, 2000, at the Carvalho Park Sports Complex in Hilo.

This three-day, multi-sport event is a fundraising tournament, with portions of the proceeds generated going towards scholarships at both the University of Hawaii at Hilo and Hawaii Community College, in memory of two Hawaii County Police Officers who were killed in the line of duty.

This year’s tournament marks the 10th anniversary of 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. The “Shige 5K,” which is a 5-kilometer run and one of the events in the tournament, was established in his memory. In conjunction with the “Shige 5K,” there will also be a 1.5-mile walk for other participants. Tournament T-shirts in memory of Officer Jitchaku and marking the tournament’s 10th year will be available for $15.

The “Kenneth K. Keliipio Softball Tournament” is held in memory of Officer Kenneth K. Keliipio, who was killed in a motor vehicle collision while assisting a stranded motorist.

The “Daison ‘Froggie’ Morita Mixed Volleyball Tournament” was established in memory of Morita, who was killed in a motor vehicle collision. Morita was actively involved in every facet of the tournament since its inception in 1990. His volleyball team “Froggies” once dominated the volleyball event.

Two scholarships have been established at the University of Hawaii, Administration of Justice program in memory of Officers Ronald “Shige” Jitchaku and Kenneth K. Keliipio.

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

A total of $10,200 generated from the annual tournament has thus far been donated towards the scholarships.

Other proceeds will go toward the construction of a memorial monument to honor fallen officers who have been killed in the line of duty. This monument, which is in its final planning stages, will be constructed at the Public Safety Complex/Police Department Headquarters at 349 Kapiolani Street in Hilo. This monument is a project conceived by Momi Cazimero, who had established the “Hawaii Police Memorial Fund” in 1990 following the death of her brother, Officer Jitchaku. The “Hawaii Police Commemorative Fund” has thus far donated $6,400 to Cazimero’s fundraising efforts.

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

“Kenneth K. Keliipio Softball Tournament” — Officer Keoni Rodrigues, 961-2213.

“Shige 5K Fun Run” and 1.5 mile walk — Captain Elroy Osorio, 966-5835.

“Daison ‘Froggie’ Morita Mixed Volleyball” — Tammy Victorine, 961-3107.

Basketball — Sergeant Randy Apele, 961-2305.

Event Chairman — Detective Greg Esteban, 961-2384.

Inquiries on the scholarships can be directed to the University of Hawaii at Hilo’s and Hawaii Community College’s Financial Aid Department.

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