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Record number of children join annual shopping event

‘Shop With a Cop’ draws different law enforcement agencies this year

Three-year-old Aulani Luna waits as Haleakala National Park law enforcement ranger April Brackett prepares to stick a badge on her shirt Sunday morning at Walmart. The two were participating in the annual “Shop With a Cop” event. The Maui News / MELISSA K. TANJI photos

KAHULUI — Three-year-old Aulani Luna got a lift from a Haleakala National Park law enforcement ranger as the tot reached for a Barbie doll from a high shelf at Walmart early Sunday morning. 

Looking on was Aulani’s mom, Hoku Hobbs, who is in remission from breast cancer. 

“It’s so wonderful,” Hobbs said of her daughter’s first experience during the annual “Shop With a Cop event” where the youngster was paired with ranger April Brackett to spend a $100 gift card for Christmas at Walmart. 

The event is designed to help children in need and get them acquainted with law enforcement officers outside of the sometimes tense situations that may arise or may have arisen in the past, said Paul Tonnessen, executive director of Friends of the Children’s Justice Center, one of the organizers and sponsors. 

“It’s such a joy,” Hobbs added of the family’s first-time experience. 

Richard Carr, holds 2-year-old Pi‘i, one of 75 children that took part in the annual “Shop With a Cop” event on Sunday. Standing with them is Maui Police Lt. Audra Sellers.

The feelings were mutual. 

“This is amazing,” Brackett said smiling as Aulani reached for more toys to put in the cart. “I’m so happy to be a part of it.” 

Not only was Sunday’s annual “Shop With a Cop” a first for Aulani, it was a series of firsts for many. It was the first time National Parks Service law enforcement rangers, state Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement officers, state harbor police and state sheriffs participated in the event, officials said. It was also the first time the gathering hosted a record 75 children who enjoyed food, got a gift from Santa and Mrs. Claus and received the gift certificate to shop.

“There is just a need,” Tonnessen said of the increased numbers. “We are constantly evolving to meet the need.”

The nonprofit Friends of the Children’s Justice Center works with Child Welfare Services and other organizations to select the children for the event. 

Maui Police Lt. Audra Sellers hands a gift to 6-year-old Ella Pietzke on Sunday as her mom, Karissa, looks on. Behind them are Mayor Michael Victorino and event founder Bruce McDonald of the Kiwanis Club of Kahului.

Tonnessen emphasized that the event is to provide a “positive introduction” between the children and law enforcement, “because their experience in the past has been negative. So this is to help build that relationship.” 

“They meet them through chaos during removal (from family), then it is like they are here seeing them in a human light,” Tonnessen said.

“I literally cry every year,” Tonnessen later added. “These kids are so traumatized and just seeing smiles on their face.”

Because of the record number of children, Maui Police Department Lt. Audra Sellers of the Community Relations Section said they called in other law enforcement whom they work closely with. 

As everyone is dealing with short-staffing, Sellers said having colleagues from the state and federal government was a plus, as around 55 officers from all the different organizations participated on Sunday. 

Maui Police Department School Resource Officer Jonathan Honda shakes hands with 13-year-old Ezekiel, after the two finished their shopping trip Sunday morning at Walmart during the annual “Shop With a Cop” event.

Sellers said the event is a favorite of MPD, with some officers who have been coming for decades to “bridge that gap” with the community and children “that we may have to take away from family.” 

“The kids will run up to you every year, hold your hand and hug you. It melts your heart. They are just so forgiving and resilient,” Sellers added. 

Along with MPD, one of the other major organizers and sponsors was the Kiwanis Club of Kahului and longtime member and leader Bruce McDonald, who initiated the event nearly two decades ago. 

On Sunday, McDonald was busy reading off the names of the children who went up to Mr. and Mrs. Claus to receive a gift courtesy of HMS Host. 

Walmart also assisted with and donated to the event, while the Kiwanis and Friends of the Children’s Justice Center split the cost of the gift cards. 

Mother Karissa Pietzke said she felt “incredibly blessed” that she and her daughter, 6-year-old Ella, could participate in Sunday’s event. Pietzke said she is pleased that Ella can develop a good relationship with law enforcement. 

Ella, who was looking for a blue LOL toy, said at the end of her shopping trip that she was “happy” about the experience.

MPD Capt. Scott Migita has been coming to the event for years and again had his two daughters with him, Kayce, 15, and Torie, 10. 

“I think it is a great program,” Kayce said, while little sister Torie said she was “excited” as she waited to see which youngster she would help with shopping on Sunday. 

Scott Migita called the program “positive for the kids” and families participating. 

“We look forward to it every year,” he said.

* Melissa Tanji can be reached at mtanji@mauinews.com.

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