JOE:
A TEN-THOUSAND-DOLLAR REWARD IS
BEING
OFFERED FOR INFORMATION THAT
LEADS
TO THE ARREST OF A MAN ACCUSED
OF MURDERING A BIG ISLAND POLICE
OFFICER.
AUTHORITIES SAY JUSTIN WAI-KI
FIRED MULTIPLE
SHOTS -- STRIKING OFFICER
BRONSON KALI-
LOA IN THE NECK AND LEG --
KILLING HIM.
WE HAVE SEVERAL REPORTS TONIGHT
STARTING WITH BRIGETTE NAMATA
WHO'S ON
THE BIG ISLAND WITH THE
LATEST...BRIGETTE?
BRIGETTE:
JOE, I'M TOLD THE ENTIRE FORCE
IS WORKING ON
CAPTURING THIS SUSPECT 24-7
UNTIL HE IS
APPREHENDED.
HAWAII ISLAND POLICE ORGANIZED A
TASK FORCE
THAT WILL OPERATE 24 HOURS A DAY
ON TIPS AND
INFORMATION ON THE WHEREABOUTS
OF JUSTIN WAIKI.
Officer Bronson Kaliloa, a 10
year veteran of the force, was
shot and killed while on a
traffic stop on Highway 11 in
the Mountain View area.
Hawaii Island Police Chief Paul
Ferreira: "I am the chief, i
am responsible for this
officer's life. i take it very
seriously."
Hawaii Island Police Chief Paul
Ferreira: "this is probably
the worst day in my 36 year
career as a police officer."
around 10 Tuesday night, Kaliloa
and another officer
approached a vehicle driven by
Justin Waiki. Police say 4
other officers responded to the
scene.
The 33 year old was wanted on an
outstanding no bail
warrant and multiple "all points
bulletins" meaning he's also
wanted in other states.
Police say officers approached
waiki's car... and
that the suspect got out of the
front seat and fired multiple
shots at the officers, hitting
Kaliloa in the leg and neck. He
was rushed to Hilo Medical
Center.
BRIGETTE NAMATA, BIG ISLAND
Officers shot back at Waiki but
he was able to escape. Police
say he ran off into the brush,
expansive.
nearly 15 hours while police
investigated.
Waiki remains on the run.
Hawaii Island Police Chief Paul
Ferreira: "waiki is
considered to be armed and
dangerous and should not be
approached."
I'm told waiki's picture has
been distributed to Security at
the airports to prevent him from
leaving the Big Island.
Kaliloa's death is considered a
profound loss to the Hawaii
Island police department... and
will not be in vain.
Hawaii Island Police Chief Paul
Ferreira: "this was an officer,
this was a father, a son, a
husband."
Hawaii Island Police Chief Paul
Ferreira: "our officers are
diligent in coming out lst
night..whether htey were on
the day off, as soon as they got
the call they heard the
word theyw ere out in the field
assisting. no questions asked,
no orders beign given, . they
showed up in ufniform
ready to work."
BRIGETTE:
IFYOU SEE HIM CALL 911 OR BIG
ISLAND CRIMESTOPPERS.
JOE:
WAIKI IS NO STRANGER TO POLICE.
HE HAS 16 PRIOR
DRUG AND FIREARM OFFENSES. LAST
YEAR HE WAS EXTRADITED TO THE
BIG
ISLAND FROM LAS VEGAS TO FACE
CHARGES
RELATED TO HIS PROBATION. HE WAS
OUT ON BAIL WHEN HE STOPPED
SHOWING FOR COURT.
A WARRANT WAS ISSUED FOR HIS
ARREST IN APRIL.
HE KNEW THE DANGERS OF THE JOB,
BUT KALILOA
LOVED BEING A POLICE OFFICER
BECAUSE IT GAVE HIM THE CHANCE
THAT'S ACCORDING TO FAMILY AND
FRIENDS WHO
SAY HE FELT IT WAS HIS DUTY TO
SERVE.
MANOLO MORALES HAS MORE. MANOLO?
HE WAS 36 WHEN HE JOINED THE
FORCE, A
LITTLE LATER THAN MOST OFFICERS.
BUT KALILOA
QUICKLY EMBRACED THE JOB AND WAS
AWARDED FOR HIS PASSION FOR IT.
Bronson Kaliloa grew up on Kauai
and graduated from Waimea High
School in 1990.
After spending several years on
Oahu as a city bus driver,
he moved to the Big Island where
he became a police officer in
20-08.
His father tells me Kaliloa
always felt it was his duty to
serve, especially the Puna
community. In 20-14, he was name
the Puna patrol officer of the
year. A family friend
says Kaliloa also showed his
He was stationed at the
checkpoints and he always went
out of his way to help.
Kale Gumapac, Family Friend:
"There's a lot of aloha that
went out to him from all the
people that had any contact
with him during the eruption."
gumapac: "They really really
a loss to the community that we
lose a young man with so
much aloha for the community."
His family also released a
statement saying,
he was a proud father of three,
ages seven, four and
three, an adoring and loving
husband and devoted son.
He was always making sure people
felt loved and
respected.
He'll leave his family and
friends a true example of one
who unconditionally loves. The
president of the police
officers' union tells me this
tragedy affects every officer
and their family.
Malcolm Lutu, SHOPO President:
"When it happens here specially
one of our own officers, even
though it's a different island
we're all in the same union we
do the same
job so it hits home."
MANOLO:
IN ADDITION TO HIS THREE
CHILDREN, KALILOA
LEAVES BEHIND A WIFE, HIS
PARENTS AND A
YOUNGER BROTHER. HE HAD A
YOUNGER SISTER
WHO DIED AS A TEENAGER DUE TO
JOE:
WE SPOKE WITH BIG ISLAND MAYOR
HARRY KIM
THIS AFTERNOON, ABOUT TODAY'S
POLICE
SHOOTING.
BIG ISLAND MAYOR HARRY KIM: "one
of those guys that
the face always smiles at you.
That's who he is."
BIG ISLAND MAYOR HARRY KIM:
"this is really impacting
officers who knew him those in
the community who know him. And
this was a very good person
never mind a good
officer. He was just a good
person."
JOE:
WE WILL FOLLOW UP WITH BIG
MANHUNT FOR JUSTIN WAI-KI. STAY
WITH KHON2 NEWS ON AIR AND
ONLINE FOR THE LATEST.
JOE:
FOUR HAWAII ISLAND
POLICE OFFICERS KILLED IN THE
LINE OF DUTY. IN 1999, A
NATIONAL PARK RANGER WAS ALSO
KILLED
IN 19-62, PRESIDENT JOHN F
KENNEDY SIGNED A PROCLAMATION
OF MAY 15TH AS POLICE WEEK. IT'S
A TIME TO RECOGNIZE THOSE LAW
ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS WHO HAVE
LOST THEIR
LIVES..WHILE PROTECTING OTHERS.