Posted on: Thursday, September 30, 2004
Ex-chief struck by car
By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer
Former Honolulu Police Chief Michael Nakamura was listed as stable last night after he was struck yesterday by a hit-and-run vehicle while crossing a Mililani street in his wheelchair.
Advertiser library photo • 1997 Police spokeswoman Michelle Yu said Nakamura, a Mililani resident, suffered a leg injury and was taken to The Queen's Medical Center in serious condition, later upgraded to stable.
The driver, a 20-year-old Mililani man, left the scene, Yu said, but later turned himself in to security guards at the town center. Police took him into custody about 6 p.m. at the Wahiawa police substation; late last night he was booked for investigation of failure to render aid and driving without a license.
The collision threw Nakamura several feet, but he never lost consciousness, according to Emergency Medical Service personnel.
In an interview with the Advertiser on the eve of the Jerry Lewis Telethon earlier this month, Nakamura said he began using a scooter in 1997 because of a degenerative nerve disease related to ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. In the past two years, he said, his movement had become more restricted. But he felt fortunate that the disease's advance was slow.
"Being gradual gives us the opportunity to adjust. I think that's a blessing compared to those that are disabled overnight," he said.
He also said he'd come to accept ALS.
"There's no anger. I've never felt any anger about the disease."
Several relatives, including his father, also had ALS, he said.
The 1965 graduate of Farrington High School joined HPD in 1970. He rose through the ranks and was promoted from captain to chief in July 1990.
He is best known for encouraging more police involvement in neighborhoods through community policing programs and other projects. When he was named chief, Nakamura was serving on the Mililani/Waipi'o/Melemanu Neighborhood Board.
Nakamura retired in 1997. He has since taught police science courses at Honolulu Community College and served on the board of MDA Hawaii, the American Diabetes Association and Hawaii Centers for Independent Living.
In July 2000, he was appointed by then-Gov. Ben Cayetano to fill a vacancy on the Board of Education. Nakamura was elected to that position that fall.
In 2002, Nakamura ran unsuccessfully for the City Council's Central O'ahu seat, won by incumbent Nestor Garcia. He served as 2004 campaign chairman for Honolulu Prosecutor Peter Carlisle, who was re-elected to another four-year term two weeks ago.
Nakamura is married and has two sons.
Reach Curtis Lum at culum@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8025. Correction: Former Honolulu police chief Michael Nakamura has a degenerative nerve disease that is related to amyotropic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease. A previous version of this story contained incorrect information.
Nakamura, 57, who uses a scooter-type wheelchair because of a degenerative nerve disease, had left the Mililani Town Center and was crossing Lanikuhana Avenue at Lanipa'a Street shortly after 4:30 p.m. Witnesses told police a car hit him as it pulled out of the shopping center onto Lanikuhana.
Former Honolulu Police Chief Michael Nakamura has used an electric scooter-type wheelchair since 1997 because Lou Gehrig's disease affects his arms and legs. He was police chief from 1990 to 1997.
