Over 600 East Hawai'i Youths Celebrate DARE Program Graduation with Hawai'i Police Department

The Hawai'i Police Department has recently celebrated the achievements of its young DARE graduates in East Hawai'i. According to a news release, the event honored the efforts of students from Hilo, Waiakea, Pahoa intermediate schools, and others, in successfully completing the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program, a key initiative aiming to educate youth on responsibility and coping with peer pressure.

Over 600 students came together at the Kawamoto Swim Stadium on Tuesday, marking their DARE program culmination, as noted in the celebratory announcement. The ceremony kicked off with Captain Roy Valera as the master of ceremonies, inspiring the youth with his opening remarks. Police Chief Benjamin Moszkowicz provided words of encouragement before the kids embarked on a fun-filled day in recognition of their hard work.

During the festivities, students were able to witness a dramatized traffic accident put on by the Hawai'i Police Department and the Hawai'i County Fire Department. Featuring the dramatic arrival and aerial lift by a rescue helicopter, this simulated emergency captivated the audience of students, subsequently enlightened by a robot-assisted bomb threat response from the Special Response Team. The hands-on demonstrations concluded with a narcotics detector K9 showcase, as noted in the official release.

The event did not skimp on entertainment, with students enjoying waterslides and carnival games, including a tug-of-war that was much-cheered by attendees. As expressed in the online announcement, students in attendance not only received education but were also treated to an array of activities throughout the DARE Day celebration.

Appreciation goes out to the various public services and volunteers that made the event possible, as detailed in the announcement. Acknowledging contributions from the Hawai'i County Council, Parks and Recreation Department, the Prosecutor’s Office, and the Hawai'i Fire Department, the success of this annual occasion stems from community-wide effort and generous donations from local businesses.