U.S. law enforcement community gathers for Bronson Kaliloa’s funeral

HILO >> Law enforcement officers from across America — from Connecticut to Colorado to Seattle — showed up in their dress uniforms Saturday to mourn Bronson Kaimana Wei Mun Kaliloa, the first Hawaii County police officer shot and killed in the line of duty.

They were joined at Hilo’s Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium by firefighters and other first responders, county, state and federal law enforcement officers and top government officials from throughout the islands.

Thousands of others, dressed more casually in aloha wear and slippers, spent hours filing past a display that included Kaliloa’s cremains and a portrait of the 46-year-old police officer, who died July 18. The solemn line of mourners reached so far out the doors of the auditorium that the service was delayed 35 minutes to let everyone enter and pay their respects.

Also in attendance was Gov. David Ige, who ordered flags to fly at half-staff Saturday at state offices and the Hawaii National Guard in Kaliloa’s honor, and Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim and Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell.

“We’re all from the same family,” Caldwell said before the start of the service. “When something happens, we come.”

Kaliloa was gunned down the night of July 17 during a traffic stop in Mountain View. He died a few hours later at Hilo Medical Center. The suspect, Justin Waiki, was killed four days later during a shootout at a police checkpoint in Kau.

The married father of three joined the Hawaii Police Department in 2008 and was named Puna patrol officer of the year in 2014. The honor came with the chance to spend six months working with plainclothes detectives in the department’s special enforcement unit, according to Maj. Samuel Jelsma, Puna District commander.

Kaliloa twice turned down the opportunity.

“Bronson truly loved being in uniform,” Jelsma said. He called Kaliloa “a truly great Hawaii police officer.”

Mainland law enforcement officers at the memorial service included 14 members of the Brotherhood of the Fallen from New York, Chicago, Boston and other cities. Other members were attending funerals that same day for officers in Florida and Arizona, said Juan Gaci of the Chicago chapter.

So far this year, Gaci said, 38 police officers have been killed in the line of duty nationwide.

Hawaii County Police Chief Paul Ferreira called the response from the law enforcement community “overwhelming.”

“When an officer dies, a part of all of us dies,” Ferreira told reporters before the service. “It is an honor to see all of these officers from all over the United States.”

The slaying of Kaliloa came as the Hawaii County Police Department continues to respond to the ongoing Kilauea Volcano eruption that began May 3. Lava has destroyed more than 700 structures, displacing thousands of residents.

“Hawaii island needs a break,” Ferreira said. “We all need a break.”

Mourners were given a business-card-sized replica of Kaliloa’s Hawaii County police badge, No. 444, covered by a black band. The card was attached to a small bag of paakai (sea salt) from Hanapepe, Kauai, as a gesture of gratitude from his family.

During the funeral, Ferreira described the effect Kaliloa’s death has had on the department’s officers and their families.

“On July 18, 2018, Hawaii island, the state of Hawaii and the world became a darker place, as this was the day that Bronson Kaimana Kaliloa was taken from us,” Ferreira said. “On that night, the unthinkable became reality — something that every police officer and their families live with every day.”

Addressing the fallen officer as he concluded his remarks, Ferreira said, “I want you to know that I’m wearing the Hawaii Police Department badge more proudly than ever because of you. You represent the very best of us. … A hui hou, my brother — until we meet again.”

Kaliloa was born in Greeley, Colo., on Jan. 26, 1972, and moved to Kauai at age 11.

After graduating from Waimea High School in 1990, he planned to join the Army and become a Green Beret, said his nephew Jamin Hiebert, who delivered the eulogy. But the night before he was supposed to enlist, Kaliloa went out with friends.

“The next morning he goes into the recruitment office and says, ‘I just met the girl I’m going to marry. I’m not signing up,’” Hiebert said. “From that moment he went into hyper mode trying to win her heart.”

Kaliloa drove TheBus on Oahu while wooing his wife-to-be, Casey Marie, and later moved to Hilo and became a Hawaii County police officer.

His other loves included “Stars Wars,” Bruce Lee, firearms, Elvis Presley and the foster children the couple cared for. They ended up adopting three of them, sons Samson and Nathan, and a daughter, Grace.

“He always had a kid in his arms,” Hiebert said.

Kaliloa also loved Superman, said friend and fellow Hawaii County police officer Matthew Bartz.

“Superman stood for truth, justice and the American way,” Bartz said. “Bronson himself was very much a superman: humble, honest and brave.”

Kaliloa is also survived by his parents, Larry and Gail Kaliloa, and a brother, Jason.

Na Hoku Hanohano Award-winning singer and musician Mark Yamanaka of Hilo performed a special song at the service, which was followed by a motorcade procession to Homelani Memorial Park, where Kaliloa was laid to rest.