East Oahu Keiki Have A Blast With ‘Shop Cops’

Dozens of children from nearby schools hung out with the police Dec. 7 at Kahala Mall, and they all had a good time.

The mall’s annual “Shop With A Cop” program was an apparent hit, partnering selected students in grades 4-6 each with their own police officer and shopping partner for the day.

“It rewards outstanding local students with a chance to visit with Santa and get their picture taken, enjoy breakfast and then provides them gift certificates to go shopping with HPD’s finest just in time for the holidays,” said general manager Floyd Williamson. “Honolulu Police Department officers and Kahala Mall’s security department from Star Protection Agency also donates funds for each child, as past history has shown that the children often purchase items for their families and not themselves.”

The children were selected by their school principal for the adventure, based on “admirable behavior or improvement” combined with need. The keiki met up with their “cop” or HPD volunteer at the trolley stop, went for a photo with Santa, free breakfast at The Counter and then took in a few hours of Christmas shopping, courtesy of the Kahala Mall Merchants Association. HPD’s District 7 Policing Team also participated, and each pair of shoppers used one gift card to buy a present for keiki at Ronald McDonald House.