Police and Parks & Recreation Thank Participants of Youth 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament in Kona

Hawai‘i Police Department’s Kona Community Policing Section, thanks all the participants, volunteers, and sponsors of the Kona HI-PAL 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament, held in January at the outdoor courts adjacent to Kekuaokalani Gym in Kailua-Kona.

The two-day tournament was organized in collaboration with the Hawai‘i Isle Police Activities League (HI-PAL), Hawai‘i County Department of Parks and Recreation, County Council Councilman Dennis “Fresh” Onishi”, and Randy Morris. In all, about 240 keiki from across Hawaiʻi Island participated in 48 teams playing 100 fast-paced games.

The tournament emphasized teamwork, sportsmanship, and positive youth engagement through basketball while providing officers an opportunity to connect with youth and families in a non-enforcement setting.

HI-PAL is a Hawaiʻi Police Department program in which officers interact with youth through sports and other activities while serving as mentors. The program promotes teamwork, citizenship and responsibility while strengthening trust between youth and law enforcement.

Police officials said the Kona HI-PAL Basketball Tournament continues to serve as a positive outlet for keiki, strengthening community partnerships while promoting healthy competition and fun.

The Hawaiʻi Police Department extends its appreciation to the community members, volunteers and partners who helped make the event possible. In particular, they thank the Ryan Higa Foundation, Inc. for its generous support and donation, the Stingrays for their assistance officiating and score keeping, as well as Victor McDaniel, Roblynn “Missy” Yomes, Manase Hunglu and the Kekuaokalani Gym and the Old Airport Recreation Area Parks and Recreation crew for their support and for use of the facilities.

Tournament Winners by Age Division:

5/6 Division
1^st – Paliki
2^nd – Stingrays Blue
3^rd – Hokulele

7/8 Division
1^st – Alakaʻi White
2^nd – Hokulele
3^rd – Stingrays

9/10 Division
1^st – Stingrays Blue
2^nd – Kanaka Black
3^rd – Hokulele 1

11/12 Division
1^st – Swish 2
2^nd – Swish 1
3^rd – Paliki

13/14 Division
1^st – Swish
2^nd – Stingrays
3^rd – NSP Gold

14U Girls Division
1^st – Stingrays White
2^nd – DNA
3^rd – Stingrays