HPD bestows awards for bravery

By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer

Six months after killing a man who shot his girlfriend to death with a shotgun as she sat in her car at the Ala Moana Shopping Center, the five officers involved spoke publicly yesterday about the gun battle in the fatal shooting of Michell Udani and were honored for the way they handled the situation.

Moe Keale embraces Honolulu police officer Colby Kashimoto during a ceremony honoring Kashimoto and colleagues Randall Rivera and Neal Takamori for saving Keale's life after he collapsed at a gym. Dr. Peter Lee also was honored. Cory Lum • The Honolulu Advertiser

The five officers responded to calls about an argument between Michell A. Udani, 26, and his girlfriend Cherry Ann Cachola Domingo, 25, at the Ala Moana parking lot Jan. 13.

Police said Udani shot Domingo inside a white Mercedes-Benz sport-utility vehicle, then exited the car, ignored officers' requests to drop his sawed-off shotgun and fired at the officers.

The five returned fire, killing Udani, then administered first aid to Domingo and Udani, police said.

"It was like a nightmare," said Oshiro, one of the first officers to respond. "I couldn't believe it was happening. Unfortunately, there were two victims. But thankfully, there were no more than two victims."

According to Terakawa, a blast from Udani's shotgun shattered the windshield of his three-wheeled Go-4 vehicle that was parked about 15 to 20 feet behind the SUV.

Terakawa, who said he couldn't see the gunman, said Oshiro "saved my life" by warning him over the police radio to "get down!" after spotting the armed Udani.

"He fired at me twice," Terakawa said. "Ala Moana was choked with people. There were cars driving by. I was more scared for the people walking to their car. I could see a family of four out of the corner of my eye.

"We did what we were trained to do. To this day, I don't think we did anything wrong. Every day I think about it — the 'should haves' and the 'would haves.' (Udani) had control of the situation. He had the opportunity to give himself up numerous times. I did the right thing."

Costa agreed with Terakawa, saying he and his fellow officers acted "admirably" and "honorably."

"I'm proud to work with them," Costa said. "I still want to be a police officer. It's the best job out here. I'm happy to serve in the police department."

In a solid vote of confidence, the chief praised the five officers for controlling the shooting scene at the mall level, makai parking lot near Liberty House.

"It was a tough call," Donohue told the officers. "You made the right call. I'm very proud of each and every one of you."

The department's internal affairs division cleared the five officers of the shooting, according to police spokeswoman Michelle Yu.

City prosecutors have not yet issued a ruling in their separate criminal investigation, which is routine for such incidents, Yu said.

Donohue also presented Certificates of Merit yesterday to officers Colby Kashimoto and Randall Rivera, Dr. Peter Lee, Neal Takamori and Robert Ryder.

Kashimoto, Rivera, Lee and Takamori were credited with saving the life of local entertainer Moe Keale, who collapsed while exercising at 24 Hour Fitness in the Windward City Shopping Center in March.

Takamori and another person administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation and Rivera and Kashimoto used a defibrillator on Keale.

Lee assisted paramedics in stabilizing Keale.

"I thank you from the bottom of my heart," Keale told the men yesterday. "I had no idea what a defibrillator was. Now I do.

"I'm so thankful and grateful to be here."

In the final incident, which happened at River Street in April, Ryder jumped 20 feet into the water to save a man who was suffering from a leg cramp while trying to retrieve his wallet.

Ryder pulled the man to a concrete pillar until rescue personnel arrived.