48 arrested in Leeward sweep

By Scott Ishikawa
Advertiser Staff Writer

Wai'anae and Kapolei police arrested 48 people Wednesday in a sweep of problem areas on the Leeward Coast to deter criminal activity.

In "Operation Rolling Thunder," officers swept through beach parks and other areas from 'Ewa to Ka'ena Point. Suspects were also arrested at their homes.

Honolulu Police Sgt. Kyle Yonemura, who coordinated the district-wide sweep, said the operation was to reduce the large number of outstanding warrants as well as address community concerns about drug-dealing and drinking at Wai'anae Coast beach parks.

About 35 police officers and supervisors were involved in the operation.

Forty males and eight females were arrested on warrants that included 104 charges, ranging from drug possession, domestic abuse, parole violations and traffic citations.

Bail for those arrested totaled more than $125,000.

"The reason the amount is so high is that we focused on domestic violence and other violent offenders," Yonemura said.

Yonemura helped coordinate a similar sweep while assigned to the Wahiawa station last year. Police routinely arrest people for an outstanding warrants through a traffic stop or another violation but usually not through a wide sweep operation.

"That one in Wahiawa was successful as well, and we will do this again out here when we feel there is a need," he said.