Pubdate: Fri, 25 Jul 2003
Source: Honolulu Advertiser (HI)
Copyright: 2003 The Honolulu Advertiser, a division of Gannett Co. Inc.
Contact:  http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/195
Author: Eloise Aguiar
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)
Note: To read about the "ice epidemic" in Hawaii, go to
http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Hawaii .

WAI'ANAE COAST TAKES STAND AGAINST DRUGS

WAI'ANAE - More than 300 people attended an anti-drug meeting in Wai'anae
last night, the largest gathering of its kind since an anti-drug campaign
began to spread across O'ahu in March.

Before the meeting about 600 residents from Nanakuli to Makaha lined
Farrington Highway, taking their message to drug users and dealers.

"Melt the Ice," "Drug Free Zone" and "Let Jesus Melt the Ice," read some of
the signs, and the honking and shaka signs from passing motorists reinforced
the message.

Sign waver and Nanakuli resident Jesse Kealoha, 37, said Wai'anae has a
reputation for criminal activity, including drug use and violence, but the
turnout showed the other side of the community.

"We are good people and we want more of them," Kealoha said. "I want a
drug-free environment for our young ones."

Recovering drug user Val Auelua, 32, said Wai'anae must root out drugs for
the children's sake. Children as young as 12 are being offered drugs, and
Auelua said she is fearful for them.

Wai'anae, like many communities, is coming to grips with the ravages of drug
use, especially with crystal methamphetamine, or ice, which has taken a toll
on families, businesses and neighborhoods. People have been afraid to speak
out against users who are emboldened by drugs and intimidating to neighbors.
But now with communities banding together, residents are finding they can
stand up.

"One of every four families on the Wai'anae Coast has somebody using ice,"
said Wai'anae Coast drug counselor Chris Reis-Naki before the meeting began.
"The big turnout shows we're trying to make a difference."

Residents were given an opportunity to speak from their hearts to federal,
state and city officials:

* Kaipo Pomaikai, 51, said the community has to take the lead by joining
neighborhood watches, taking down licenses and turning dealers in. "I'm sick
and tired of the west side being used as a drug store," he said.

* William Aila, 45, said one thing he would like to do is picket the three
stores on the Wai'anae Coast that sell drug paraphernalia.

* Norma Kiehn, 59, said her son is a drug user who after relapsing three
times is again going into treatment. "This is one of the highest drug
trafficking areas and we cannot solve this problem alone," she said. "But by
community effort we can let the wheelers and dealers know that we are taking
back our parks, beaches and streets."

* Tory Winward, once a star high school athlete, said he was hooked in the
blink of an eye at age 20 and was arrested 89 times before "they threw away
the key." Clean for 10 years, he said he turned his life around in prison
and that if he could beat drugs anyone can.

The anti-drug gatherings marked the first time the Wai'anae Coast
communities have worked together for a common goal, said Patty Teruya, one
of the organizers of the events. Churches, service providers, businesses,
government and residents have joined to fight back, she said.

"The energy that they put in is powerful," Teruya said. "It's not just
making a today statement. The process is going to be long, but we will
continue to work to get drugs out of our community."

The communities have formed a group called Pa'i, which means to spank, to
fight the drug problems, she said.
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MAP posted-by: Doc-Hawk