Over 100 young athletes made a splash at the first-ever Hawai‘i Isle Police Activities League (HI-PAL) Volleyball Tournament on September 13, showcasing their budding talents and fostering community ties through sportsmanship in Hilo. The event, which took place at the Pana‘ewa Gym, was a joint effort between the Hawai‘i Police Department's HI-PAL program and the ‘Eleu Volleyball Club, bringing together 10 teams in a competition that included both 14U boys and 14U girls divisions.
According to an announcement made by the Hawai‘i Police, the tournament was organized by Community Policing Officer Darren Abalos with the help of Pana‘ewa Gym Coordinator Alexandria Walker, the day was filled with “back-and-forth battles between friends and other volleyball clubs,” creating an atmosphere of friendly rivalry and unity through sport, meanwhile parents and coaches lauded the positive influence of police engagement in local youth activities.
Officer Abalos relayed the enthusiasm from the event, telling the Hawai‘i Police website, “The participants enjoyed the back-and-forth battles between friends and other volleyball clubs.” Furthermore, the acknowledgement from both parents and coaches about the role of HI-PAL in the community signifies broader approval for incorporating law enforcement into constructive youth-oriented events. Following the tournament's success, the Hawai‘i Police Department extends a heartfelt thank you to the ‘Eleu Volleyball Club, all participating teams, and volunteers who contributed to the event's smooth operation.
The core mission of HI-PAL, as expressed by the Hawai‘i Police Department, is to foster positive interactions between police officers and youth, promoting values like teamwork, citizenship, and responsibility along the way, that is not only about engaging young people in athletics but also about building trust within the community. In light of the recent tournament's success, HI-PAL is looking to collaborate with community organizations for future events, with interested parties encouraged to contact the Hilo Community Policing Officers for more information on how to get involved.
