Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 28, Number 12, 1 December 2011 — Honolulu's Finest -- Molokaʻiʻs Own [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Honolulu's Finest -- Molokaʻiʻs Own

When we think of people who've made a difference in our eommun ities different

images eome to mind - a preacher, a poliheian, a businessman. For family and friends on Moloka'i and O'ahu, the image of Eric Fontes would suffice. Not for gallant achievements, or for being an acclaimed humanitarian, but for being a generous friend with an inspiring disposition and a humhle message. In September, Eric passed away on O'ahu while assisting a fellow poliee officer with a traffic

stop in Makakilo. His and family, church members, co-workers and friends celebrated his life and legacy of love. Eric Charles Fontes was the son of the late Mae Fontes (Ann Fontes) of Kaunakakai, and Fottie "Haia" Burrows (Feslie Burrows Sr.) of Hoolehua. Eric was born on Aug. 26, 1966, and attended Kualapu'u Elementary and Moloka'i High School. He was proud of being a member of the rambunctious class of 1984. Eric felt that the Ford wanted him to be a poliee officer. With the support of his wife, Fi Ann, he was persistent in his pursuit of a career in law enforcement. In 2005, the Ford blessed him with admission to the Honolulu Poliee Department's 149th recruit class. Although he was the oldest in the 149th recruit class, he wore his heart on his sleeve and gave double the effort to keep up with the younger recruits. The bond he forged with his classmates stayed with him throughout his seven-year career with HPD. Anyone who knew Eric agreed that being a poliee officer suited him because he had a way of interacting with people that was positive and compassionate. Eric was an ordained Evangelist of Ka Hale Ho'āno O Ke Akua Church in Kalihi, O'ahu. This position humbled Eric but fit his

vivacious spirit perfectly. He always had that special spirit that brightened any room. Eric's ministry was not confined to the walls of his church as he enjoyed

feeding the homeless and reaching out to the incarcerated at the Federal Prison. Eric felt that he was reaching people during times in their lives when the word of God could take hold in their hearts. For the past five years Eric and members of his church took part in a monthlong prayer pilgrimage called Pule Hāmau, or Silent Prayer. Eaeh year the group of prayer warriors traveled to

the Neighbor Islands spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ through song and prayer. Families familiar with the outreach group look forward to the annual visit from Eric and the traveling prayer family. Eric's infectious personality was coupled with the famous "air instrument" he was known for. No one knows when his instrument first appeared, but he never forgot it, and it was always tuned to the Lord's frequency. It eame in handy since he loved to sing Praises and Worship to the Lord. He was often teased about it, but it never bothered him, and he never stopped playing. His instrument was priceless. Eric planned to move home to Moloka'i to build his home on his homestead, care for his parents, work for the Moloka'i Poliee Department and worship at Ierusalema Hou Church in Hālawa Valley. On Oct. 8, hundreds of loved ones and uniformed officers gathered at the Kanakaloloa Cemetery in Ho'olehua to bid him farewell. Eric is survived by his wife, Li Ann; daughter Corie Li; son Layne; grandchildren Elijah, Alyssa and Blaize. Eric will be remembered as always doing what needed to be done, being willing and available, being helpful, and always looking for ways to make life better for those around him. ■

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Cūlette Y. Machade ChairpErsūn, Trustee Muluka'i and Lāna'i