Display aims to draw attention, funds for police memorial

In a renewed effort to raise funds for a permanent law enforcement memorial in Hawaii, local and federal law enforcement officials planted signs honoring each of the 69 Hawaii-based law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty.

The signs were displayed alongside drawings of the proposed memorial on the Diamond Head side of the Kalani­moku Building, which has already been secured as the official site of the project.

Plans for the memorial were spearheaded several years ago by Joan Gribben-Aiu.

Gribben-Aiu’s daughter Tiffany had been dismayed that she had to travel all the way to the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, D.C., to see the name of her father, Hono­lulu Police Department Specialized Services Division officer Bryant Bayne, inscribed in a memorial wall.

Bayne and fellow officer Tate Kaha­kai died in a helicopter crash in 1995 while attempting to rescue a missing hiker at Sacred Falls.

Gribben-Aiu successfully lobbied the state Legislature to set aside land in the Capitol District to honor law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty in Hawaii.

Gribben-Aiu died of cancer last year, but her husband, former federal agent Tommy Aiu, has continued the drive.

"The memorial would give law enforcement officers a chance to reflect on these fallen officers and the sacrifice they made," Aiu said. "It would give the community an opportunity to recognize and appreciate the fact that these officers put their lives on the line every time they put on their uniform or their badge. It would also be a place for family of the fallen officers to take solace that their loved ones’ sacrifices were not in vain."

Ground was broken in 2011, but the project stalled due to a lack of funding.

Aiu said the Hawaii Law Enforcement Memorial Foundation has raised about $200,000 of the $600,000 to $800,000 needed to establish the open-air walk-through memorial, which would include walls bearing the names of officers killed in the line of duty since 1903.

Additional funds would be necessary to maintain the memorial.

While no timetable has been set for the project to begin, Aiu said he is hopeful that the balance of funds needed will be raised through private donations over the next year.

The temporary display outside the Kalani­moku Building will remain until the end of the month. Officials intend to reassemble the display for Police Week, May 10-16.