New Waimea bus stops dedicated
A pair of new bus shelters in Waimea were dedicated July 19 in honor of Lance Corporal Christopher Labiano Camero, the first member of the armed forces from Hawai‘i Island to give his life in the global war on terror. The Camero family recently commemorated the one year anniversary of his passing.
A plaque telling his story is mounted in each of the two new stops, on either side of Māmalahoa Highway near Mud Lane.
Born in the Philippines, Chris and his family moved to Waimea when he was five. He dreamt of serving his adopted country as a United States Marine – a dream that he worked hard to make happen. He graduated from Honoka‘a High School in 2010, and went straight to the Marines.
Chris was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force of Twentynine Palms, California. He died July 12 of wounds suffered in Helmand province, Afghanistan, while conducting combat operations. His service awards include the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon and Afghanistan Campaign Medal.
Chris loved judo, karate, football, fishing and cooking. He is survived by his father Carlos, mother Norma, sister Sarrah, and grandmothers Lucia Labiano and Lapaz Camero. He was laid to rest last year at the West Hawai‘i Veterans Cemetery in Kona.
The new bus shelters are two of over 80 new stops and shelters established as part of an expansion of the Hele-On bus system, including additions to the fleet and increased service.
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- Christopher Camero’s family: mother Norma, sister Sarrah, and father Carlos.
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- The Camero family and the Lakeland community posed for a photo with Mayor Kenoi in front of one of the new bus shelters.
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- The Camero family and Marines joined in memory of LCpl Christopher Camero.
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- Mayor Kenoi and the Marines of the Camp Tarawa Foundation who helped honor LCpl Christopher Camero.
