Barboza torch run kicks off this morning
By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer
Troy Barboza was only 24 in 1987 when he became the 31st Honolulu police officer killed in the line of duty after a drug dealer shot him at his home. By then he had already established himself as one of the most dedicated volunteers with Special Olympics Hawai'i.
• Today, opening rally and motorcade, 9:45 to 10:30 a.m., Honolulu Police Department, 801 South Beretania St. • Tomorrow, Day Two's final leg, Kawananakoa Middle School to First Hawaiian Bank Plaza, 11:45 a.m.to noon. • Friday, Torch Run's final leg, Fort DeRussey to Les Murakami Stadium, 6:30 to 7:15 p.m. Runners will head east on Kalakaua Avenue and turn left onto Kapahulu to the stadium.
This morning, the annual First Hawaiian Bank Troy Barboza Law Enforcement Torch Run will get under way with an opening rally and motorcade fronting the main police station on South Beretania Street.
Schedule of events
The torch run, which started in 1986, was named in Barboza's honor 15 years ago. The event continues through Friday, ending that evening at Les Murakami Stadium with the opening ceremonies of the 35th annual Special Olympics Summer Games.
The run is the largest single fund-raiser for Special Olympics in Hawai'i and is expected to draw 800 police officers, military personnel and other volunteers. Similar runs already have been held on the Neighbor Islands.
"It's always amazing to see what the police officers do on their off-duty time because these guys witness so much bad stuff on their job," said Nancy Bottelo, president and CEO of Special Olympics Hawai'i. "The hearts that they have and the things that they do for our athletes really makes me stop and think."
Bottelo said Barboza gave a lot of his free time helping Special Olympics, and he touched the lives of many athletes.
"Troy was just an incredible human being," Bottelo said. "He was one of those people who always showed up for practices; he always was there. He was just dedicated beyond belief and all of the athletes just adored him."
Since Barboza's slaying, six other officers have been killed in the line of duty. The last was Honolulu police officer Glen Gaspar who was shot at the Kapolei Shopping Center March 4.
The route of this year's torch run will involve less use of city streets and highways.
Last year, motorists complained that runners on the Pali Highway created a traffic jam and a hazard.
To avoid traffic snarls and for the safety of the runners, Bottelo said most of this year's run will be on military bases.
The only public routes will be tomorrow's lunch-time run from Kawananakoa Middle School in Nu'uanu to the First Hawaiian Bank Plaza at King and Bishop streets, and Friday's run from Fort DeRussey in Waikiki to the stadium that begins at 6:30 p.m.
