WAILUKU, Maui — Maui honored its latest "fallen warriors" yesterday by adding the names of four soldiers killed in Iraq to a roll of the county's war dead.

Photo: Kelly Bolor and her son, Kyle, hold a picture of her husband, Sgt 1st Class Kelly Bolor, who died in 2003 after two Black Hawk helicopters collided over Mosul, Iraq.

Sgt. 1st Class Kelly Bolor, Spc. Jay Cajimat, Pvt. Eugene Kanakaole and Spc. Christopher Sweet joined the county's 288 other service members killed during wartime whose names are engraved on a series of granite panels outside War Memorial Gym.

Family members who attended the unveiling ceremony were clearly touched by the tribute and still struggling with a deep sense of loss and grief.

Lilibeth Cajimat, whose son died April 6, 2007, in a car bomb explosion in Baghdad, said she almost didn't come to the event because she wasn't sure she could hold it together. "I was OK until the 21-gun salute and then I cried a lot," she said.

Jay Cajimat, a Lahainaluna graduate, was 20 when he was killed. Looking around at the soldiers in the crowd, his mother said: "Every time I see a uniform, I remember my son."

Even though nearly six years have passed since Bolor was killed, his twin brother Keith said, "The hurt never goes away."

Kelly Bolor, 37, died Nov. 15, 2003, when two Black Hawk helicopters collided over Mosul, killing 17. The Lahainaluna graduate was living in Whittier, Calif., with his wife, Kelly, and son, Kyle, who was 3 when his father was killed.

Keith "Maxie" Bolor said the family regularly hears from soldiers who served with his brother. He said the Maui war memorial will serve as another reminder of the soldier's sacrifice.

"It's a statement that our war dead will not be forgotten but remembered. We're honored that Maui County has made us a part of their family," he said.

Also present were Kanakaole's foster parents Jack and Linda Eades of Pukalani, who said they appreciated the memorial. Kanakaole, 19, a Maui High graduate, died June 11 of noncombat injuries.

Sweet, 28, also a Maui High graduate, died Feb. 6 as a result of a noncombat incident in Kirkush. His family lives in Illinois and was unable to attend the ceremony.

Before the unveiling, Mayor Charmaine Tavares signed a proclamation designating the day as "Fallen Warriors Day" and urged the community to show gratitude to the families of the fallen, veterans and those currently serving in the U.S. military.

The four soldiers' names were listed as "Gulf War" dead, joining Staff Sgt Damon Kanuha, who was killed Jan. 31, 1991, when his gunship was shot down during combat mission over Saudi Arabia in Operation Desert Storm.

==Another news story==

WAILUKU - Family, friends and veterans paid tribute Friday to Maui's four fallen soldiers in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The county's elected officials and Hawaii's congressional delegation reminded everyone of the importance to show gratitude to those serving in the armed forces and to honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

Photo: Tamickco Jackson, a counselor with the state Office of Veterans’ Services, greets Jack Eades of Pukalani with a lei and a kiss as Maui County Council Member Sol Kaho‘ohalahala (right) looks on. Eades is the foster father of Pvt. Eugene Kanakaole, who was killed in a noncombat-related incident on June 11, 2008. document.getElementById('photoCaption').innerHTML = 'The Maui News / AMANDA COWAN photo

A framed picture of Sgt. 1st Class Kelly Bolor rests against a memorial to those who died in war at War Memorial Gymnasium as his son, Kyle, 9, pauses to take a photo Friday afternoon in Wailuku. A Hawaiian flag covers the names of the troops who died in the current war, including Bolor. It was unveiled later in the ceremony. Kyle and his mother, Kelly, traveled from their home in California for the event.'

"It is our duty, our responsibility, our obligation to always remember our fallen warriors," Maui County Council Chairman Danny Mateo said.

Mayor Charmaine Tavares signed a proclamation at the ceremony held outside the War Memorial Gymnasium declaring Friday as the Day of the Fallen Warriors. The ceremony included the unveiling of the etched names in black marble on the memorial outside the War Memorial Gymnasium.

"They will always be remembered by our country," Tavares said in reading the proclamation.

Soldiers honored on Friday were:

* Sgt. 1st Class Kelly Bolor, 37, a Lahainaluna High School graduate, killed in a helicopter crash on Nov. 15, 2003.

* Spc. Jay Cajimat, 20, also a Lahainaluna graduate, killed in a roadside bombing April 6, 2007.

* Pvt. Eugene Kanakaole, 19, a Maui High School graduate, killed in a noncombat-related incident June 11, 2008.

* Spc. Christopher Sweet, 28, a Maui High graduate, killed in a noncombat-related incident on Feb. 6.

Bolor's widow, Kelly, and their 9-year-old son, Kyle, attended the ceremony along with Bolor's twin brother, Keith "Maxie" Bolor, and other family members.

"We're just honored and thankful," Kelly Bolor said.

Kyle, who was 3 at the time of his dad's death, smiled at the memorial. "It's nice," he said.

Maxie Bolor held his 1-year-old daughter, Teija Malia, in his arms, as he honored his brother.

"It's always chicken skin at ceremonies like this," Bolor said.

Lilibeth Cajimat, mother to Jay Cajimat, was overwhelmed with emotion.

"It's really nice for them to do this," she said.

Sweet's family reportedly has moved away from Maui, and Kanakaole's foster parents, Jack and Herlinda Eades, attended Friday's event. Jack Eades said he was happy to see his foster son and others recognized for their sacrifice.

"This is a good thing. I think it'll help," he said.

Representatives for U.S. Sens. Daniel Inouye and Daniel Akaka, and U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono, all delivered messages from Washington, D.C., to the families and the 100 or so people attending.

"Each is a hero. Each deserves our heartfelt prayers and gratitude," Inouye said of the fallen soldiers in his message read by attorney Ry Barbin.

Aside from the county proclamation, the County Council also presented special certificates for each of the soldiers' families.

Maui County veterans presented Hawaii flags and framed certificates to each of the represented families as well.

Photo: Doug Halbert of the Veterans of Foreign Wars performs taps as fellow veteran Richard Ha‘ake

The ceremony included a 21-gun salute by the Veterans of Foreigns Wars Post 3850 and a performance by the Baldwin High School JROTC drill team.

Maui County Veterans Council President Rogelio "Roger" Evangelista said he was glad to see soldiers being honored for their service.

"We veterans need the public's support. All gave some and some gave all by serving in the military," he said.