The Hawai‘i Police Department is hosting a series of community-focused coffee klatches across Kona, Waikoloa, and Hāwī this June. Keeping it low-key, these "Coffee With a Cop" gatherings invite the public to meet their local officers in a setting that’s far removed from the pressured environment of emergency situations or formal meetings, according to the Hawaii Police Department.
There's no script to stick to, no presentations to sit through. Instead, the community is encouraged to show up, grab a cup of Joe, and share their thoughts and concerns with the officers about anything—from the lighthearted to the deeply personal stories that shape the neighborhoods they patrol. "Stop by and get to know your district and Community Policing Officers over a cup of coffee," reads an announcement obtained by the Hawaii Police Department.
The event schedule offers flexibility throughout the month with six separate opportunities to join in. The kick-off will be on June 12 at Kona Heaven Coffee in the heart of the Coconut Grove Shopping Center. Following this, there will be sessions at Kona Mountain Coffee Co., Kohala Coffee Mill, Uncle Kimo’s Coffee Shop, Kohala Coffee Company, and wrapping up at Kona Coffee & Tea. Each venue provides a unique atmosphere for the conversations poised to percolate among officers and residents alike, as reported by the Hawaii Police Department.
For those with specific questions in advance of these dates, there are points of contact provided for both Kona and South Kohala Community Policing Sections. The Kona team can be reached at (808)326-4646, extensions 257, 258, or 259. For inquiries regarding Kapaʻau and Waimea events, the South Kohala officers stand ready at (808) 887-3080, as per the Hawaii Police Department.
