Hawai‘i Police Department
Hāmākua Patrol
Captain Reynold Kahalewai
Phone: (808) 775-7533
Media Release
Hawai‘i Police Department’s Hāmākua District Community Policing Officers would like to congratulate all the participants and winners of the department’s Third Annual Back to School Keiki Fishing Derby, that took place on Saturday, September 16, 2023, at Laupāhoehoe Point Beach Park in Laupāhoehoe.
About 80 keiki from the Hāmākua district, ranging in age from 3 to 17, sought to catch the heaviest fish.
The top four winners from each age group received prizes and all registered participants were treated to lunch, drinks, shave ice, and a Coca Cola accessory. Lucky number prizes were also distributed.
During the event, the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Division of Aquatic Resources Officer John Kahiapo, along with DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) officers, provided information and pamphlets on ocean safety and fishing regulations.
“This was a fun, family event that connected keiki and police officers,” said Hāmākua District School Resource Officer Blake Ragocos who co-organized the event with Community Policing Officer Joseph Rocha.
“We are thrilled that every year the fishing derby continues to attract more keiki interested in learning about fishing. This event wouldn’t be possible without support from the community,” added Rocha.
Hawai‘i Police Department would like to thank the following individuals, businesses, and organizations who helped make the event a success:
- Friends of First Responders
- DARE Hawai‘i
- Hawai‘i County Department of Parks and Recreation
- Hawai‘i Fire Department
- Hawai‘i County DPW Honoka‘a Roads and Maintenance Division
- Honoka‘a High School Athletics
- Ho‘omau Keiki Care
- Elite Pumping Solutions
- Department of Land and Natural Resources
- HPM
- Hilton Waikoloa
- S. Tokunaga Store
- Coca Cola
- Sack n Save Downtown Hilo
- Andrea Young
- Christine Coletta
HI-PAL, the Hawai’i Isle Police Activities League, is a program by the Hawai’i Police Department in which police officers interact with youth in various activities as mentors. This positive connection encourages teamwork, citizenship and responsibility among youth. If your Hāmākua-based organization would like to hold a HI-PAL event, please contact the Hāmākua district police station at (808) 775-7533.
