Police partner with community to paint railings at Waikōloa school

Waikōloa Elementary and Middle School got spruced up before students returned to campus on Aug. 3 for the start of the new school year.

Hawaiʻi Police Department’s South Kohala Community Policing Section and volunteers from New Hope Waikōloa teamed up on July 23 to complete a beautification project, spending the day repainting railings throughout the campus. The work was part of an ongoing effort led by School Resource Officer Kui Dela Cruz.

Each summer during the school break, Dela Cruz dedicates time to improving the campus by repainting safety lines, parking curbs, fire lanes, and other areas that help create a safe and welcoming environment for students, staff and visitors, according to a news release from the Hawai‘i Police Department. Officers assigned to the South Kohala Community Policing Section regularly help with these annual improvement efforts.

The project began when Pastor Rick Nagaoka of New Hope Waikōloa contacted school administrators to ask how the church could help support the school. In response, members of the congregation volunteered alongside Dela Cruz, Community Policing Officer Michael Abran and other community members to repaint railings throughout the campus.

The school provided the paint and supplies for the project.

“The project reflects the strong partnership between the Hawaiʻi Police Department, Waikōloa Elementary and Middle School, and community organizations, such as New Hope Waikōloa,” said Area II Operations Major Roylen Valera. “Through volunteerism and collaboration, the group enhanced the school’s appearance while demonstrating a shared commitment to serving the Waikoloa community.”

Waikōloa businesses, organizations, churches, civic groups and community members interested in volunteering for future campus improvement projects are encouraged to contact Dela Cruz by email at Kuilee.DelaCruz@hawaiipolice.gov.