Club honors police officer, firefighter

The Aloha Exchange Club of East Hawaii presented its annual Police Officer and Firefighter of the Year Awards during a ceremony March 19 at Hilo Yacht Club.

The honorees are Puna Patrol officer Conrad Bidal and West Hawaii firefighter/medic Kainoa Willey.

Nomination papers said Bidal displays outstanding investigative skills in his daily police work, but it was his heroic efforts in a commercial business fire in Puna that made him the top selection. Bidal prevented harm to several people in the building which could have resulted in tragic results if not for his actions.

Willey was honored for his outstanding work, but what sets him apart is his initiative in volunteering for several community projects sponsored by the Hawaii Fire Department. In particular, Willey spearheaded numerous fundraising efforts for department personnel in need of financial assistance because of illness, injury or traumatic events.