HI-PAL and Kona Community Policing Officers Connect with Youth Through Summer Outreach Events

The Hawai‘i Police Department’s Police Activities League (HI-PAL), in partnership with the Kona Community Policing Section, recently held a series of outreach events at Kahaluʻu Housing, Kama‘āina Hale Housing, and the Uluwini Housing Complex in Kailua-Kona between June 24 and July 31, 2025.

As part of a new collaboration between HI-PAL and public housing complexes in Kailua-Kona, more than 100 keiki—from toddlers to teenagers—participated in various fun and engaging activities with officers. Events included a Portuguese horseshoe tournament, basketball, kickball, baseball, e-sports, and a bounce house.

“It was great fostering a positive and lasting relationship with our community’s keiki. We hope to build on this relationship and the impact it will have on their future,” said School Resource Officer Bryan Young, of the Kona Community Policing Section.

The response from participants and families was overwhelmingly positive. Officers are already making plans to continue providing safe, fun, and meaningful activities that strengthen relationships between law enforcement and youth.

The Hawai‘i Police Department would like to thank Paul Chinen of Holoholo Ministries, Aloha Maps, and the Hawai‘i Food Bank for donating water and food to help keep the keiki hydrated and healthy. Special thanks also to the housing complexes for their support and for allowing officers to host these community-building events.

HI-PAL is a program of the Hawai‘i Police Department that provides opportunities for officers to engage with youth as mentors through positive activities that promote teamwork, citizenship, and responsibility.

If your Kona community organization is interested in hosting a HI-PAL event, please contact the Kona Community Policing Officers at (808) 326-4646, ext. 259.