Services are set for former police chief

Services for former police Chief Michael Nakamura, who died April 1 at Kuakini Medical Center, are set for Wednesday at Mililani Mortuary's Mauka Chapel.

The services start at 6:30 p.m., preceded by visitation beginning at 4:30 p.m. The family requests no flowers.

Nakamura served as police chief from 1990 to 1997, and was also a former member of the state Board of Education and a 2002 candidate for City Council.

He fought a long battle with spinal muscular atrophy, and spent more than a decade in a wheelchair.

In 2004, Nakamura's health took a further turn for the worse when he was struck by a car while trying to cross a Mililani street in his electric wheelchair. He sustained severe injuries and suffered a stroke as a result of the ensuing surgery.

Nakamura later forgave Anthony G. Pearce, the 21-year-old driver who hit him and later pleaded no contest to fleeing the scene of the accident and driving without a license. He said he did not want Pearce to go to prison.

Nakamura was born on April 9, 1947, raised in Kalihi and graduated from Farrington High School. He served in the Air Force before joining the Honolulu Police Department in 1970.

He is survived by his wife, Carol; sons Reid and Keola; mother Nancy; brothers Morris and Glenn; and sister Audrey Morales.