East Hawai’i DARE graduates from Hilo, Waiakea, and Pahoa intermediate schools, as well as Kalanianaʻole, Honoka‘a, and Pa‘auilo elementary schools recently celebrated completion of the DARE program, a nationally recognized initiative teaching students how to make good decisions, be responsible, and handle bullying and peer pressure.
 
After the opening ceremony, students were presented with a scenario reenacting a traffic collision. The Hawai’i County Police Department worked in conjunction with the Hawai’i County Fire Department in simulating how medics would provide aide in the event of a collision that resulted in severe injuries. HFD rescue helicopter arrived and airlifted the victim out of the area, much to the amazement and cheers of the students. Students were also treated to a demonstration by the Special Response Team (SRT) addressing a bomb threat, utilizing a robot. Members of the Special Response Team including Vice officers simulated an arrest which also included a demonstration from our Vice narcotics detector K9 as well.
 
The event also featured waterslides, swimming, carnival games, tug-of-war and other activities.