First Annual Sugar Showdown Gingerbread House Building Contest a Resounding Success

The Hawaiʻi Police Department’s South Kohala Community Policing Section would like to thank all the community partners, volunteers, and participants that made the first annual HI-PAL South Kohala Sugar Showdown Gingerbread House Building Contest a resounding success.  

HI-PAL is a program of the Hawai‘i Police Department that connects officers and youth through mentoring and recreational activities. The program fosters teamwork, citizenship, and personal responsibility.

More than 50 keiki, accompanied by their parents and guardians, gathered on Dec. 17, 2025, for a festive evening of gingerbread house building and decorating as holiday music played in the background. The event was filled with smiles, laughter, frosting and holiday spirit as families worked together to create their gingerbread masterpieces.

The department extends a special mahalo to Parker Ranch Center General Manager Colleen Demello for her generous partnership in providing the venue, purchasing the gingerbread house kits, and donating prizes that made the event possible. The South Kohala Community Policing Section also extends heartfelt thanks to Rosie Morris of Starbucks, who donated handcrafted hot chocolate for the keiki and hot coffee for the adults, helping keep everyone warm throughout the evening.

Additional appreciation goes to David Griffin of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 3Rs Program for supplying goodie bags for all participating keiki, and to South Kohala District Police Captain Roylen Valera for donating additional decorations and prizes to ensure no child went without. The event was further supported by Hawaiʻi County Council District 9 Councilmember James Hustace, who volunteered his time as a judge and enjoyed connecting with families from the Waimea community.

After 45 minutes of building and decorating, three judges evaluated each gingerbread house in the categories of Most Festive, Most Creative, and Best Use of Decorations. While 18 participants received special prizes, every child was recognized and received a prize to take home.

 “This marked the final South Kohala HI-PAL event of 2025, and we look forward to hosting more HI-PAL events in 2026 and beyond,” said Community Police Officer Justin Cabanting. “We also sincerely thank the parents for bringing their keiki and spending the evening with us.”