Shop With a Cop in Kona bridges the gap between keiki and police officers for over 30 years

Fifty west Hawaiʻi Island keiki shopped for the perfect Christmas gifts for family, friends and themselves with the Hawaiʻi Police Department, marking more than 30 years of Shop With a Cop in Kailua-Kona. 

Shop With a Cop originated on the Big Island in Kona when the Hawaiʻi Police Department partnering with Kmart to provide at-risk and underprivileged youth the chance to buy gifts around Christmastime. 

Even after the Kona Kmart closed in 2018, the event continued uninterrupted at Target until 2023, which is when Walmart began hosting the local tradition.

Early Saturday morning over 30 law enforcement officers from the Hawai‘i Police Department, Hawai‘i State Sheriff’s Department, Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement, along with National Park Service Rangers and the Hawai‘i Air National Guard volunteered to take keiki on a fun shopping spree

Keiki were pre-selected by Catholic Charities and given $100 gift card to spend on whatever they want while the first responders act as a chaperone and companion on the morning of the event.

Some keiki shop for themselves, while others were buying gifts for family members. During the event.

After the shopping was complete, keiki could have their newly purchased gifts wrapped by volunteers and were treated to a McDonald’s Happy Meal breakfast. Santa Claus also had time to stop by for a visit.

“It’s really something special when you see these kids interact with the officers as they pick out that special gift for themselves or their family members,” said Barbara Kossow of Kids Matter–Friends of the Justice Center of West Hawai‘i, a group that helps fund the event. “This never gets old.”

Franz Weber, also with Kids Matter, said the event shows kids that, “the police are here to help you. It’s mind-blowing how the officers are so personally engaged. They see the need and want to help,” added Weber.

Catholic Charities Hawai‘i — a nonprofit serving Hawai‘i since 1947 — offers assistance to people in need regardless of faith and culture, providing services through more than 30 programs statewide.