Pubdate: Sat, 25 Jun 2005
Source: Garden Island (HI)
Copyright: 2005 Kauai Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://kauaiworld.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/964
Author: Taren Fujimoto
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

SHIMABUKURO WANTS NEXT GENERATION TO TAKE OVER DRUG FIGHT

PO'IPU -- Gary Shimabukuro, who has given drug-awareness talks and training 
seminars on just about all of the continents in the world, wants the next 
generation to step up.

"My hope is for there to be a surge in the number of programs where the 
younger generation teaches their peers about the dangers of ice and other 
drugs," remarked Shimabukuro.

"I think that they would want to hear it from people their own age rather 
than from an old person, like myself. The slide show is a presentation of 
the surface of the truth," said Shimabukuro, who teaches and advises on 
drug-awareness matters through his O'ahu-based company, Laulima Hawai'i.

"The real thing is found in autopsies and case files. That's the real 
reality," he said while conducting free, drug-awareness seminars at the 
Hyatt Regency Kauai Resort & Spa.

"Laulima" is "cooperation" in Hawaiian.

In the wake of Hawai'i's massive drug problem, many men and women remain 
vigilant in the war on drugs.

Taking his words and images to the Neighbor Islands with regularity is 
Shimabukuro, president of Laulima Hawai'i. He is infamous for his 
hard-hitting, fast-paced, and slightly humorous slide-show presentations, 
which expose to attentive audiences the gruesome truths of Hawai'i's 
current condition concerning narcotics and crystal methamphetamine, or ice.

Shimabukuro presented three drug-awareness sessions yesterday in the Hyatt 
Regency Kauai Resort & Spa ballrooms, and is giving three more today, 
Saturday, June 25, at 9 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. at the Po'ipu hotel.

His audiences yesterday were diverse, including hotel employees, K-PAL 
(Kaua'i-Police Activities League) players and coaches, and Kaua'i Pop 
Warner Football parents and players. The variegated crowd was largely the 
work of Stella Burgess, a manager at the Hyatt Regency Kauai and board 
member of K-PAL, who was asked by Shimabukuro to coordinate the event.

"Gary called me up and asked if a presentation at the Hyatt could be 
arranged," said Burgess. "I was interested, of course, especially for our 
employees to learn about the threatening effects of ice and other drugs in 
the community and in the workplace. And since drug training is mandatory 
for all K-PAL coaches, I figured that it would be good for them to also 
participate in this event," Burgess said.

"We sent out fliers, e-mails, and public-service announcements as means of 
promotion. The Hyatt paid for the room and meals, and through a grant from 
county anti-drug coordinator Roy Nishida's office, the airfare, ground 
transportation and other expenses were taken care of.

"It's scary to know just how close to home the drug problem hits," 
continued Burgess. "Our staff learned that hotel guests can contaminate 
their rooms with drugs anyway possible. They informed us of how some people 
use coffee makers to 'cook' ice, and the remaining stench finds its way 
into the vents and desecrates the rest of the hotel. I never even thought 
such a thing was possible."

A drug-specialist speaker since 1978, Shimabukuro has had lots of 
experience presenting reality to the masses. Recently, he spent 10 days in 
Australia and New Zealand, teaching police task forces there about the 
dangers of ice.

"I've been doing a lot of presentations on Kaua'i," said Shimabukuro. 
"Earlier this week I paid a visit to PMRF, spoke with employees of Hawaiian 
Telcom, and addressed a whole bunch of other business entities. The goal, 
or the intent, to strive for as of now, is to spread the word about the ice 
epidemic to smaller businesses on the Neighbor Islands," he said.

"We are currently achieving our objective, to target larger, Neighbor 
Island businesses, such as the Hyatt Regency Kauai. But we want to make 
sure that as much businesses as possible are aware of the consequences of ice."

For now, the specifics of Shimabukuro's schedule for the next four to five 
months are pending. "I'm waiting for Roy Nishida to come back from Hong 
Kong," added Shimabukuro. "As soon as he arrives, we'll plan more events. I 
will also be working with the Kaua'i Chamber of Commerce to integrate 
drug-training seminars for multiple businesses, including the Marriott, and 
set up presentations with different companies."

Accompanying Shimabukuro was Keith Kamita, chief of the state 
narcotics-enforcement division. Kamita manned the popular narcotics-display 
table viewed by interested audience members following the presentation.

Spread out over two tables in neatly arranged plastic divisions were 
samples of a varied assortment of narcotics, including ecstasy, marijuana, 
heroin, opium, cocaine, animal tranquilizers, injectable steroids, anabolic 
steroids, GHB, and accessories. No question was left unanswered, as 
intrigued attendees inquired Kamita about every item on display.

"You know Gary has the easy job," laughed Kamita. "His presentations are 
roughly about an hour long, then he gets to rest. But for me, I always end 
up standing around after the presentation for a couple of hours answering 
questions."

Listening in on the intent question-and-answer session, Shimabukuro 
recalled a recent, shocking, drugrelated find.

"On Kekaulike Street in O'ahu, there used to be a wall where all of the ice 
and drug addicts would sit and rest on. Prompted by concerned citizens, 
they tore the wall down and found several feet deep of syringes. That was 
an eye-opener," Shimabukuro said.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom