Full Notification

Hawaiʻi Police Department
Hamakua Patrol, Area I
School Resource Officer Blake Ragocos
Phone: (808) 775-7533

Media Release

The Hawai‘i Police Department’s Hāmākua Community Policing Section and the Hawai‘i Isle Police Activities League (HI-PAL) would like to congratulate all the participants who attended the 4th Annual Back to School Keiki Fishing Derby on Saturday, August 17, 2024, at Laupāhoehoe Point Beach Park.

Eighty-eight keiki, age 3-17, from the Hāmākua and North Hilo districts competed to catch the biggest fish. The top three winners for six different age groups received prizes with two additional prizes awarded for the most fish caught.  All registered participants were treated to lunch, drinks, and shave ice.

“This was a fun family event that connected keiki and police officers,” said Hāmākua Community Policing Officer Joseph Rocha, who co-organized the event with School Resource Officer Blake Ragocos. He noted that the event has grown in popularity every year with this year attracting the most participants to date.

Hawai‘i Police Department would like to thank the following businesses and organizations for helping to make this fishing tournament a success: Friends of First Responders, Hawai'i County Councilwoman Heather Kimball, Hawai‘i Isle Police Activities League, DARE Hawai‘i, SHOPO, Honoka’a High School Athletic Department, Elite Pumping Solutions, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Downtown Hilo Sack n Save, Fun Factory, Ho Honua LLC, and Waiakea Water. This event wouldn’t be possible without the support of the community.

HI-PAL is a program of the Hawai‘i Police Department in which police officers interact with youth in various activities as mentors. This positive connection encourages teamwork, citizenship and responsibility among youth.