Full Notification

Hawai'i Police Department
Kona Community Policing
Officer Leonard Warren
Phone: (808) 326-4646, Ext. 259

Media Release

Hawai‘i Police Department’s (HPD) Kona Community Policing Section and the Hawai‘i Island Police Activity League (HIPAL) would like to thank the six teams and roughly 160 keiki that participated in its first-ever Outrigger Youth Canoe Regatta on Saturday, April 8, 2023, at the Kailua Pier.

The Community Policing Officers teamed up with Kai ‘Opua Canoe Club and Kai’ Ehitu Canoe Club to organize the exciting community event, which also included participants from the Keauhou, Miloli‘i, Waikoloa, and Na Wa‘a Hanakahi Canoe Clubs.

A total of 14 events were held throughout the Regatta for boys and girls ages 12 to 18. Kai’ Ehitu Canoe Club came in first place in seven of the races, with Kai ‘Opua Canoe Club winning six races, and Na Wa‘a Hanakahi winning one race.

HIPAL is an HPD program in which police officers interact with youth in various activities and act as mentors. This positive connection with the youth helps encourage teamwork, citizenship, responsibility, and builds trust amongst the youth.

Kona Community Policing would like to thank the Kai ‘Opua and Kai’ Ehitu Canoe Clubs for partnering with HPD and helping to make the 1^st HI-PAL Outrigger Youth Canoe Regatta such an immense success. HPD  would also like the thank the West Hawai‘i community and the canoe clubs for participating, as well as the Grill House for donating food for the event.