Second Annual Cocoa With a Cop a Sweet Success

The Hawai‘i Police Department would like to thank the community and its partner agencies, including Neighborhood Place of Kona and Denny’s of Kona, for making the second annual Cocoa With a Cop a resounding success. The event, which took place on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at the Kona Denny’s lanai, was based on the monthly Coffee with a Cop series where community members are invited to talk story with officers.

Roughly 85 keiki and their family members attended this year’s event, where they were treated to free cocoa, sandwiches, dessert goodie bags, Keiki ID and holiday activities like letters writing to Santa, and a Christmas time story read along.

“Neighborhood Place of Kona wanted to help and give families an opportunity to meet with our local community police officers,” said Laura Barret, community outreach coordinator for the Neighborhood Place of Kona, who  was instrumental in putting the event together. “We liked the idea of ‘Coffee with a Cop’ and wanted to build off of that model to offer keiki an opportunity to join in the fun,” she said.

Denny’s of Kona owner Ali Sahito provided the event location, as well as cocoa, food, and treats for the families. Volunteer Carol Conner entertained with story time. Department of Education volunteers, along with Refocus Realty and Naka Distribution, provided take home goodie bags with ornaments for keiki to decorate with their families.  

“We’d like to thank all those who joined us in our annual holiday ‘Cocoa with a Cop’ and look forward to hosting future community events that strengthen our community,” said Kona Community Policing Officer Dywane Sluss. “It was great to see the kids having a good time, especially this time of the year.”