From Sept. 4 through Sept. 14, local law enforcement officers will once again pitch in to help Special Olympics Hawaii’s annual Badges and Buckets fundraiser on Hawaii Island, Kauai, Lanai, Maui, Molokai and Oahu.

Dates are:

  • Sept. 4 to 6 at Molokai Public Library, Molokai
  • Sept. 5 to 7 at Hilo Walmart on Hawaii Island, Lihue Walmart on Kauai and Kahului Walmart on Maui
  • Sept. 6 to 8 at Kona Walmart on Hawaii Island and on various locations on Oahu (see below)
  • Sept. 13 (9 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and 14 (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) at Richard’s Market on Lanai

Oahu locations include Enchanted Lake Shopping Center, Hawaii Kai Shopping Center, Kaneohe Bay Shopping Center, Kapolei Walmart, Keeaumoku Sam’s Club and Walmart, Kunia Walmart, Laulani Village Shopping Center, Manoa Marketplace, Mililani Walmart, Pearl City Walmart, Salt Lake Shopping Center and Waimalu Plaza.

Volunteer, off-duty officers will sit atop 10-foot scaffolds and rooftops to help raise awareness and funds for Special Olympics Hawaii. Volunteers on the ground will also collect donations.

“Our athletes inspire us every day with their determination, courage and unwavering spirit,” said Special Olympics Hawaii’s President and CEO Dan Epstein in a release. “The Badges and Buckets fundraiser is a powerful reminder of the incredible community we have here in Hawaii — one that stands tall in support of those who deserve every opportunity to shine. We appreciate the commitment of our volunteer officers and their generosity to come together year after year to lift our athletes to new heights.”

Donations collected from these events will benefit Special Olympics Hawaii and the work it does to provide sports, health and wellness, leadership and inclusionary programs for children and adults with intellectual disabilities across the state.

Since 2001, the fundraiser has raised over $4,391,220 for Special Olympics Hawaii athletes statewide.

“Our volunteer officers are proud to ‘rise to the occasion’ once again for Special Olympics Hawaii,” said State Law Enforcement Torch Run Director Ryan Nishibun. “Every hour we spend on that scaffolding is a small gesture compared to the strength and perseverance our athletes show every day. We encourage everyone to come out, say hello, and help us make this year’s event the most successful yet.”

Sarah Yamanaka covers news and events for Spectrum News Hawaii. She can be reached at sarah.yamanaka@charter.com.

Editor’s note: Locations have been added for neighbor island events. (Sept. 3, 2024)