Honorees

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Year Honored
2008
Honoree
Mandy Takeshi Shiraki
Agency
Hawaii Air Ambulance
Agency City
Honolulu
Agency State
HI
Last Call
1/31/04
Cause of Death
Medical Aviation Accident
Biography
"I think Mandy exemplified what an EMS worker is and what we aspire to be: full of dedication, always helping workers, strong commitment to excellence, and tremendous clinical skills," stated EMS Chief Robin McCulloch. It is said in life there are those born with special gifts and this has to be true in the case of Mandy. He was the "most perfect" in his career of Emergency Medical Services.<br /> <br /> Mandy Shiraki, 47, of Waianae, Hawaii, was killed in the line of duty on January 31, 2004. He was part of a three-person medical team conducting a patient transfer from Hilo Airport. When the team did not show up, a search ensued. The plane went down in the tropical rainforest of Hawaii's Northeastern coast. Stormy weather is thought to be a factor in the fatal crash that took the lives of the medical team.<br /> <br /> Mandy was District Chief with the City and County of Honolulu, working in EMS there for nearly three decades. He loved his work so much that he also worked part time for Hawaii Air Ambulance, located in Honolulu, Hawaii. He taught at Kapiolani Community College. Mandy received more than 75 commendation letters from residents.<br /> <br /> When Mandy did something, no matter how insignificant or important, it was always correct. He had perfected his skills and his ways of handling his job. He had a passion for EMS, and he carried that passion into his teaching and the way he lived his life. Mr. Shiraki was one of the most respected and admired men in Honolulu.<br /> <br /> He loved his family, and was a special grandpapa to his young grandson. He has become one of Hawaii's heroes.<br /> <br /> Honored 2008