Public Rallies to Rebuild Home for Slain Honolulu Police Officer's Son

By Leila Fujimori

Source The Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Kaumana Kalama was 14 when his father, Kaulike Kalama, was one of two Honolulu police officers shot and killed in the line of duty on Jan. 19, 2020.

Five months later on June 13, 2020, his mother, Ka ‘ohinani Kalama, who had lupus, died of a brain aneurysm, and Kaumana, then 15, was left without parents.

After the death of his mother, Kalama was taken in by his maternal uncle, police officer Kaleo Segovia, and aunt, who became his legal guardians. He left the home he shared with his parents, and squeezed into the Segovias’ three-bedroom Pearl City house to join their family of five.

In 2020, others wanting to do something for the teen contacted Segovia, who said the boy has never asked for anything except to go home.

Members of the community are now stepping forward to make his dream a reality.

Together with donations of money, materials and labor, they are rebuilding his Foster Village home, and on Wednesday the new structure was blessed and dedicated in the presence of dignitaries, a Habitat for Humanity executive director, police officers, volunteers and family members.

“I’m very thankful, ” the now 20-year-old told the Hono ­lulu Star-Advertiser by phone from Spokane, Wash., where he attends Whitworth University. “It takes a lot to renovate a house, let alone completely demo and build a new house. I just thank them for that. I’m very grateful.”

Kalama is seeing his dream of moving back home start to materialize, getting updates with photos from his uncle and grandfather.

“It looks like a house, ” said Kalama, a junior majoring in communications with plans to become a firefighter. He had planned on becoming a police officer like his father and uncle, but his family has steered him toward serving his community as a firefighter instead.

Segovia said the Kalamas lived in the upstairs unit of the 1, 000-square-foot front house, while Kaumana’s maternal great-granduncle, who owns the property, lived downstairs. The great-­granduncle had lived in the original house, which fell into disrepair.

Segovia said his family planned to renovate the front house for his nephew and granduncle, but his sister met Wayne Kaiwi, who with T. George Paris of the organization Back Dah Blue, were determined to rebuild the house for Kalama.

“He said, ‘I want to bless this family, ’” Segovia said of Kaiwi. “When Kaohi passed away, he said, ‘Let’s just make this house for this boy.’”

If Segovia’s plan had gone forward, “it would have been smaller, just rehab the front house, but once the project started going, we couldn’t reneg, ” Segovia said.

The new 3, 200-square-foot addition is being built on the site of the old home, and will result in a total of 4, 200 square feet of living space for Kalama, his great-­granduncle and the Segovias.

While it’s been five years, Segovia said Kalama is grateful to the builders, planners, donors, fundraisers and “for everyone who gave their time, effort and even their own resources to make this home project possible.”

He said the home is a place where Kalama will be able to thrive and a place to build his future and family.

At the blessing and dedication, Kaiwi said Paris and the organization collected $70, 000 in donations.

Habitat for Humanity Leeward Oahu spearheaded the effort to provide a place of solace and healing for the young Kaumana.

Jo Bautista, executive director for Habitat for Humanity Leeward Oahu, said that the house is projected to be completed in early 2026.

The original house was torn down and in its place, a new foundation, roof and exterior walls were built with the generosity of numerous organizations, which donated resources and time and even paid their employees. The upgrade is valued at $300, 000.

Interim Honolulu Police Chief Rade Vanic said, “The tragedy of Jan. 19, 2020, is a day that will forever remain in our hearts. It’s a day that reminds us of both the dangers our officers face, but also the deep bond that we share as a community … we’ve seen that bond strengthen through compassion, resilience and unity.

“Officer Kaulike Kalama and Officer Tiffany-Victoria Enriquez made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our community. They exemplified courage, professionalism and aloha that defines what it means to be an HPD officer. Their legacies live on. …”

The two officers were shot and killed while handling a stabbing in a Diamond Head neighborhood.

Mayor Rick Blangiardi said Honolulu’s police officers “put their lives on the line each day to keep our community safe. …

“When tragedy strikes, we are reminded of their incredible courage and sacrifice. It is deeply moving to see our community come together to honor Officer Kalama and show love and support for his ohana.”

Bautista, who helped enlist her team of trade professionals to volunteer, said, “The tragic loss of a fallen police officer affects all of us in the community.

“We felt moved to do something positive, pull together and show our aloha for the Kalama family. This was a good time ro recognize everyone who has given so much of themselves in this community effort.”

The business that have stepped forward include : Affiliated Construction, Bueno Construction, Fellows Construction, Haloa Construction, Honsador Lumber, West Oahu Roofing and Zelinsky (painting ).

Anyone wishing to make tax-deductible financial contributions, in-kind donations or provide labor can call Bautista at 808-682-8411.

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