Officers and civilian staff participate in daily acts of service alongside schools, nonprofits and local agencies across Oʻahu.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HONOLULU — The Honolulu Police Department (HPD) is continuing its Lights of Aloha season with its first annual digital 12 Days of Service initiative, taking place Dec. 13–24 and highlighting daily acts of service carried out by HPD staff in partnership with community organizations across the island. All HPD districts and several divisions are participating in this year’s events. Video highlights of select events that began in November and will continue throughout the campaign will be shared daily on HPD’s social media channels and on the Lights of Aloha landing page beginning Dec. 13.
“Service is at the heart of policing,” said Chief Rade Vanic. “We’re proud of the effort our staff put into each of these events and thankful for the community partners who help us brighten the holidays for keiki, kūpuna and families across Oʻahu.”
Participating HPD divisions include the Specialized Services Division, Police Activities League, Community Policing Teams, Traffic Division, Finance, Scientific Investigation Section, Human Resources Division, Community Affairs Division, Criminal Investigation Division, Professional Standards Office, Human Services Unit and the Public Affairs Office. Community partners include the Hawaiʻi Foodbank, Hawaiian Humane Society, Blood Bank of Hawaiʻi, Hawaiʻi Baptist Academy Early Learning Center at Grace Point, the Kahaluʻu Shelter, First Assembly of God, Family Programs Hawaiʻi, Kapolei High School, Seagulls Schools and HawaiʻiUSA Federal Credit Union.
The 12 Days of Service Events:
Day 1 (Dec. 13): Food Bank Donation Drive
HPD staff collect canned goods for delivery to the Hawaiʻi Foodbank.
Day 2 (Dec. 14): Heroes & Helpers
Keiki selected by local schools go on a holiday shopping spree with officers from all districts using gift cards donated by Target.
Day 3 (Dec. 15): Gift Giving for Keiki
District 4 officers partner with the Kahaluʻu Shelter and First Assembly of God to provide gifts for underprivileged children.
Day 4 (Dec. 16): SSD K9 School Visits
The Specialized Services Division conducts demonstrations on K9 training and capabilities, including bomb-detection exercises. Keiki were able to meet and interact with K9 units.
Day 5 (Dec. 17): Safer Roads, Together/Drive with Aloha School Mural Unveiling
Kapolei High School unveils a large traffic-safety mural created in partnership with HPD.
Day 6 (Dec. 18): 127th Annual Holiday Party with Family Programs Hawaiʻi
HPD hosts an activity booth at the private event serving about 1,200 youth in care. HPD’s PAL and D.A.R.E officers have participated for more than five years.
Day 7 (Dec. 19): Blood Donation Drive
HPD personnel donate blood to support seasonal needs through the Blood Bank of Hawaiʻi.
Day 8 (Dec. 20): *Bike Helmet and Light Giveaway
Officers hold a pop-up event to distribute free bike helmets and lights to students at ʻAikahi Elementary, 7:00-8:00 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 12.
Day 9 (Dec. 21): PAL Hula
Officer Lauren Porter continues her weekly hula instruction for keiki through the Police Activities League, now in its third year.
Day 10 (Dec. 22): Humane Society Donation Drive
Collected items from HPD and the community are delivered to the Hawaiian Humane Society, with a portion supporting Waiʻanae Wags.
Day 11 (Dec. 23): Christmas Decoration Keiki Walk-Through
An early learning class from Seagull Schools Early Education Center visits the main station on South Beretania to see holiday decorations. Officers hand out treats and goody bags to families and their keiki.
Day 12 (Dec. 24): *Kūpuna Gift Giving
District 1 officers partner with HawaiʻiUSA Federal Credit Union to wrap and deliver gifts to kūpuna based on wish lists provided by participating seniors on Dec. 23 at Kukui Gardens and Kekaulike Courtyards.
The 12 Days of Service highlights holiday goodwill across the island. Each day focuses on supporting keiki, kūpuna and families experiencing hardship, promoting community health initiatives and caring for animals in need. The campaign reflects HPD’s message that policing is rooted in service, that community partnership is essential and that building goodwill helps keep Hawaiʻi safe and strong.
The public is encouraged to share their own holiday acts of service using HPD’s campaign hashtags: #LightsofAloha and #12DaysofService.
Daily highlights will be shared on HPD’s social media channels and on the Lights of Aloha page: www.honolulupd.org/lightsofaloha.
Media outlets interested in coverage should contact HPD’s Public Affairs Office. *Select events may be open to media and photos or b-roll will be available upon request.