I have an unwavering respect and admiration for those who choose to become a police officer.
And, yes, these sentiments apply to our first responders in all other important roles, but for this moment I'm focusing on police.
Because another one has been murdered.
On Thursday, a jury determined the fate of the alleged killer of Maui Police Officer Suzanne O: Guilty of first-degree murder.
The SOB did it.
Put him away for the rest of his criminal life.
Too harsh?
Why?
The accused, Clembert Kaneholani, 39, is not a good man. If you want to know more about how not good of a man he is then you should google, yahoo!, bing or any other search you want because I'm not giving this individual any more ink.
That's how it is.
When there is an egregious crime, all the attention focuses on the perpetrator, the accused. It's all about their background, their condition, and their motivation. We're told ad nauseum about their challenges, their abuses and their mental health. By the time pundits and media are done, the accused has a "made for TV" life story designed to humanize and garner sympathy and support with the general public.
Wait a minute.
The story that should be told should be about the victims of the crime and their life story. And there doesn't have to be a re-write to sell them as acceptable to the public. Because they're the ones who suffered, who lost anything and everything that tragically may include their lives.
Example.
Name the mother recently on trial for killing her three young kids.
Correct! Lindsay Clancy.
You may also know her defense was centered on her suffering from postpartum psychosis which held her criminally not responsible. You got to know her every detail in news reports that were orchestrated by her theatrical defense attorney. She generated support from other mothers who wore pink and displayed images of Clancy on their shirts while waving placards stating her innocence while carrying their own babies.
I have a question.
What are the names of the three victims?
Not as top of mind, right?
All about the perp, the alleged or convicted criminal.
And the three victims of their mother, Lindsay Clancy?
Cora (5), Dawson (3) and Callan (8 months).
Not to be forgotten now.
As for Kaneholani, he all but convicted himself, caught on audio tape not only admitting to the shooting but being jocular and celebratory. "I thought I was going to get me one buck, but I got me one doe!" Kaneholani is heard saying while laughing.
Yeah, real funny.
He is now facing life in prison without parole under a new law relating to minimum sentencing in the killing of police officers, prosectors and judges.
That's enough about him.
And more about Suzanne.
According to reports, Suzanne O joined the Maui Police Department in 2020, working first in the Kīhei Patrol District then the Wailuku Patrol District. She grew up in American Samoa and, according to her own words in a department recruitment video, wanted to serve as a role model for Pacific Islander girls and women.
“I want to show them that there’s more to life,” she said in the video.
She was a member of the Honor Guard and had been awarded a Certificate of Merit for her work in Upcountry Maui during the Aug. 8, 2023, wildfires (21 homes were lost in Kula the same day Lahaina was destroyed).
“Her colleagues describe her as compassionate, genuine, honest, and deeply dedicated to serving Maui County,” the department said in the statement released to media at the time. “In her free time, she enjoyed being with her niece and nephews, as family was always her top priority.”
O had been intending to go to college for bachelor’s degree but not until after she put in more time as a patrol officer to get a feel for where she wanted to take her career.
Her values?
“Whether it’s within the department or outside the department, be respectful,” she said. “Always be courteous. It’s never wrong, or it’s never a bad thing, to be courteous to people and show compassion.”
Suzanne with be sorely missed.
Kaneholani will not.
Rick Hamada can be reached at rickhamada@aol.com.
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