Police Host First Annual “Merit Scouts Police Tour Day” in Kona

The Hawai‘i Police Department’s Kona Community Policing Section hosted the first annual Merit Scouts Police Tour Dayon Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, at the Kealakehe Police Station, welcoming 39 participants from the West Hawai‘i Scouts of America and the Girl Scouts of America.

The event provided Scouts, troop leaders, and chaperones with a unique opportunity to experience the daily operations of the Hawai‘i Police Department and meet the officers who serve their community.

Participants toured several divisions within the station, including Patrol, the Juvenile Aid Section (JAS), Traffic Enforcement Unit (TEU), Criminal Investigation Section (CIS), and Vice Section, as well as the cell block and assistant chief’s office. Scouts also enjoyed a K9 demonstration conducted by Vice and JAS officers and explored a marked police vehicle up close.

In addition to learning about law enforcement operations, Scouts earned their fingerprint and detective merit badges through a hands-on presentation led by CIS Evidence Specialists Mary Midkiff and Robyn Kainoa. The session covered the science of fingerprint collection and preservation, with Scouts practicing dusting and recovery techniques to lift prints from objects. Each Scout created their own fingerprint card to take home as part of completing their badge requirements.

“It was really wonderful and surprising to see how intuitive the Scouts were,” said Midkiff. “They asked great questions, and we all had a fun time recovering fingerprints. I really look forward to next year’s event.”

The Merit Scouts Police Tour Day is part of the department’s ongoing community outreach efforts to build positive relationships with youth and encourage future interest in public service.