Hawaiʻi Police Department
Hilo Community Policing Section
Community Policing Officer Darren Abalos
Phone: (808) 961-8849
Media Release
Hawai‘i Police Department’s (HPD) Hilo Community Policing Section and the Hawai‘i Island Police Activity League (HI-PAL) would like to thank the roughly 60 teams that participated in its recent 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament held at the Pana‘ewa Gym in Hilo on February 17, 18, and 19, 2023.
The student players enjoyed the intense gameplay of a 3-on-3 half-court style basketball game against other teams from across the island. During the three-day tournament more than 180 students, ranging from fourth graders to high school students, played in six divisions, including varsity girls, varsity boys, and brackets for tenth grade, eighth grade, sixth grade, and a fourth grade.
The basketball tournament was organized by Community Policing Officer Darren Abalos in coordination with retired HPD Major Randy Apele. HI-PAL is an HPD program in which police officers interact with youth in various activities and act as mentors. This positive connection with the youth helps encourage teamwork, citizenship, responsibility, and builds trust amongst the youth.
The Hilo Community Policing Section would like to thank everyone involved for their help making this tournament such a great success.
