Police join Alacia's mourners
By Eloise Aguiar
Advertiser Windward O'ahu Writer
KANE'OHE — For a 10-year-old, Alacia "Baby Girl" Marie Williams made a big impression on people. They called her brave and bold at her funeral service yesterday as about 200 friends, relatives and police officers gathered to say their last goodbyes.
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She was a bit of a rascal as well, telling jokes and taking lavender roses from her neighbor's bush. Paulette Dibibar, 49, said she didn't mind because Alacia enjoyed the roses.
Kyle Nobriga, right, and Darren Cachola were among police officers paying their respects to Lon and Karin Williams at yesterday's funeral. The Williamses' daughter, Alacia, died July 23 in an accident that also killed a police officer.
"Of course sometimes she was naughty, but it never lasted," Dibibar said.
The straight-A Mai'li Elementary School student died in a collision July 23 on Farrington Highway.
The car she was riding in swerved to avoid hitting a box on the road but was rammed from behind. The impact sent the car into the path of five motorcycle police officers. Besides Alacia, Officer Ryan Goto died; two other officers were injured.
Alacia's grandmother Elizabeth Hadrick invited everyone to sing along yesterday as she delivered a stirring rendition of "Holy, Holy, Holy." Later she led the mourners in "Soon and Very Soon" as the coffin was carried out.
For the service, the Girl Scouts in Alacia's troop wore identical black-and-white aloha shirts.
Songs such as "Amazing Grace" and "Lean on Me" stirred memories of a spirited child.
Juli Patten, Alacia's teacher and troop leader, said the fourth-grader was never afraid and took on every challenge.
Patten recalled how Alacia, not one to cry when she was angry, came to her one day, upset because someone had teased her about having a black father and Caucasian mother. Patten told Alacia she had the best in each parent. Not too long after that, Patten heard Alacia tell a group of kids: "I'm the best black person and I'm the best white person."
More than a dozen police officers attended Alacia's funeral. The losses in the crash were very sad for everyone, Police Chief Lee Donohue said at the services.
"We're all part of the same community so the officers themselves, especially the solo bikers, wanted to do something," he said. "I think it brings closure to our officers."
Six motorcycle officers carried Alacia's coffin to the hearse and seven of them escorted her body to the crematorium.
Alacia's parents, Lon and Karin Williams, thanked the people who attended the funeral as well as the people of Hawai'i who gave them the support to endure their loss. Karin Williams, recovering from her injuries, wore an arm sling.
"Alacia wouldn't be sad for long," Lon Williams said as he talked about ushering his daughter to heaven's gate. "She'll always be our Baby Girl."
About five dozen doves in rainbow colors were released at the end of the service — and a single pink one for Alacia.
Reach Eloise Aguiar at eaguiar@honoluluadvertiser.com. or 234-5266.
