Kona community police to engage with kūpuna and keiki this week

The Hawaiʻi Police Department Kona Community Policing Section is holding a monthly Kūpuna Watch meeting on Friday and the second annual Keiki Fun Run/Walk on Saturday.

Kūpuna Watch is an outreach program that gives Hawaiʻi Island police an opportunity to strengthen trust, promote safety, and build positive relationships with kūpuna during their regularly scheduled activities at county facilities in Kona.

In partnership with the County of Hawaiʻi Department of Parks and Recreation’s Elderly Activities Division, Kona community police officers hold a monthly meeting to discuss crime and traffic trends, the importance of reporting elder abuse, and ways to identify and prevent financial and internet crimes.

In addition to the community officers, each monthly meeting features personnel from different sectors of the police department to explain their areas of expertise. This month’s meeting is set for 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 27, at the Kona Imin Center, 76-5877 Old Government Road in Hōlualoa.

For more information, contact Kona Community Policing Section Sgt. Wyattlane Nahale at 808-326-4646, ext. 259.

On Saturday, the Kona Community Policing Section is also hosting the second annual Hawaiʻi Isle Police Activities League Keiki Fun Run/Walk to encourage keiki to stay active while enjoying the outdoors alongside friends, family members, and the community.

Held in partnership with Peoples Advocacy for Trails Hawaiʻi, the event will start at 8 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, near the Makaʻeo Path in the Old Airport Recreation Area in Kona. Check-in begins at 7:30 a.m. Refreshments and snacks will be provided following the races.

Participants will be grouped into different courses by age, which include:

• 200-yard dash for keiki ages 5 to 8 (family members may accompany young runners)
• Half-mile course for keiki ages 9 to 12
• One-mile course for youth ages 13 to 17

To help ensure a smooth check-in process, participants are encouraged to complete the event waiver form in advance by scanning this event QR code and bringing the completed form on the day of the event.

For a fillable copy of the waiver, or for more information on Hawaiʻi Isle Police Activities League programs, contact Officer Leonard Warren at 808-326-4646, ext. 258, or at leonard.warren@hawaiipolice.gov.