First Sugar Showdown Gingerbread House Building Contest a resounding success

Hawaiʻi Police Department South Kohala Community Policing Section thanks all the community partners, volunteers and participants who made the first Hawaiʻi Isle Police Activities League, or HI-PAL, South Kohala Sugar Showdown Gingerbread House Building Contest a resounding success.

More than 50 keiki — accompanied by their parents and guardians — gathered Dec. 17 for a festive evening of gingerbread house building and decorating as holiday music played in the background.

It was an evening filled with smiles, laughter, frosting and holiday spirit as families worked together to create their gingerbread masterpieces.

After 45 minutes of building and decorating, three judges evaluated each gingerbread house in the categories of Most Festive, Most Creative and Best Use of Decorations.

While 18 participants received special prizes, every child was recognized and received a prize to take home.

“This marked the final South Kohala [Hawaiʻi Isle Police Activities League] event of 2025, and we look forward to hosting more [Hawaiʻi Isle Police Activities League] events in 2026 and beyond,” said Community Police Officer Justin Cabanting in a police release following the event. “We also sincerely thank the parents for bringing their keiki and spending the evening with us.”

The department extends a special mahalo to Parker Ranch Center General Manager Colleen Demello for her generous partnership in providing the venue, purchasing the gingerbread house kits and donating prizes that made the event possible.

South Kohala Community Policing Section also extends heartfelt thanks to Rosie Morris of Starbucks, who donated handcrafted hot chocolate for keiki and hot coffee for adults, helping keep everyone warm throughout the night.

Additional appreciation goes to David Griffin of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 3Rs Program for supplying goodie bags for all participating keiki, and South Kohala District Police Captain Roylen Valera for donating additional decorations and prizes to ensure no child went without.

The event was further supported by Hawaiʻi County Council District 9 Councilmember James Hustace, who volunteered his time as a judge and enjoyed connecting with families from the Waimea community.

Hawaiʻi Isle Police Activities League is a program of Hawai‘i Police Department that connects officers and youth through mentoring and recreational activities, aimed at fostering teamwork, citizenship and personal responsibility.