Services for KPD officer to be held on March 11

LIHU’E — Funeral services will be held on March 11 for Kaua’i police Sgt.

Nelson Waiamau, who died Feb. 22 while undergoing treatment for cancer at the

Memorial Medical Center in Houston, Tex.

Waiamau, 44, was a 19-year-veteran

of the Kaua’i Police Department.

He was diagnosed with cancer of the colon

and liver in December and had undergone treatment at Wilcox Hospital and Straub

Hospital on O’ahu and later at the Mainland hospital.

Friends and family

can pay their last respects at the Lihu’e Convention Hall from 8:30 to 10:15

a.m.

Services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m., with burial to follow at the

Lihu’e Public Cemetery. Services will be handled by Borthwick Kaua’i

Mortuary.

To offset medical costs for Waimau’s cancer treatment, family and

friends have scheduled a fundraiser at the Kukui Grove Pavilion from noon to 6

p.m. on March 12.

There will be music, food and craft booths, refreshments

and entertainment for children.

Entertainment will be provided by 3D with

Del Beazley, Elton Waiamau, Papa’a Bay Boyz, Ron Kuala’au Kainoa ‘Ohana,

Harmony Jarrett Roback, Kivin Kalauli, Johah Cummings, Stacy Taniguchi and

others.

Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the gate and $1 for keiki 12

years and under.

Waiamau was a respected and dedicated officer, according

to police officers and family members.

“To me, he was definitely a

community officer,” said Kaupena Kinimaka, chief of security at the Marriott

Hotel and Waiamau’s cousin. “He helped a lot of people who had problems with

their children.”

Away from work, Waiamau liked to spend time with his

family. “He was a soccer coach, and he always advised his son, Micah, on

football,” Kinimaka said.

Football held a special place in Waiamau’s life,

Kinimaka said. Waiamau played football at Kamehameha School on O’ahu and

Whitworth College in Spokane, Wash. in the 1970s.

Waiamau had a love for

the sea, picking opihi and throw-netting when he had the chance, Kinimaka

said.

Waiamau also favored music, playing the guitar and singing, Kinimaka

said.

Waiamau was born in Lihu’e on March 23, 1955.

After graduation

from Kamehameha School in 1973, he continued his education at Whitworth

College and graduated with a degree in police science from Honolulu Community

College.

He is survived by his wife, Karen “Kalena,” Waiamau, sons, Keone

(Corrie), Doane, Abe, Micah, a daughter, Tracilyn “La’e La’e,” his parents,

Abraham and Arlene Waiamau, two brothers, Douglas (Wanda) and Alton, a sister,

Thalia, two grandchildren and uncles, aunties, nieces, nephews and cousins.