Kahalu'u anti-ice campaign is tapering, some fear

By Eloise Aguiar
Advertiser Windward O'ahu Writer

KAHALU'U — Four months into a crusade that many in Kahalu'u hope will turn the tide on crystal methamphetamine use and its devastating impact on their community, some are concerned that the grassroots effort is losing momentum.

Attendance was 200 to 250 at the first three Kahalu'u town hall meetings on crystal meth and its impact. Last month about 80 showed up. Even sign-waving participation has dwindled from hundreds to about 18 people.

Kahalu'u was the first community to take a stand against ice use in its neighborhoods and with the help of Hina Mauka, a substance abuse treatment facility, spearheaded a communitywide effort to cut through the barrier of denial and confront the problem.

It is a serious issue in this Windward community, but with towns across the state looking to Kahalu'u as a model, what happens here could have greater consequences. Community leaders say that keeping the momentum going may be the most difficult phase of the Kahalu'u campaign.

Organizers said the past two events weren't highly publicized and school was out, making it impossible to send fliers home to parents. But there is concern that meetings with no follow-up action have discouraged people.

"I like to see things move and move quickly, and it's not moving quick enough for us," said Nick Cambra, a Kahalu'u resident and police officer who also is involved in Pop Warner and the canoe club.

Cambra said two things he wants to see happen, clearing parks of illegal residents and putting up a gate in the canoe club area, are taking longer than they should, adding that criminal activities there continue.

In a search of police reports at the canoe club address, he said he found 33 cases in the past year. Complaints that are called in and not written up aren't logged, but Cambra said he is sure that there were many.

"The cases include weapon offenses, drug cases, auto thefts, arson and violent assaults," Cambra said, adding that the club is ready to put up its own gate and not wait for the city.

Pastor Keith Ryder, a town hall meeting organizer, also is eager for action.

Ryder said the last meeting gave him only some of the information he expected to hear from the 10 groups that are planning ways to fight drug use in the community. Those groups are looking at solutions that include youth programs, legislation, cultural-based treatment, faith-based help, a new treatment center and prevention program.

Ryder said organizers are talking about regrouping to keep the momentum going.

"Sign-waving is one thing to campaign, but we're in the action phase and we want to get out there and really bring hope to people by getting involved in letting the dealers and the users know that we're going to start turning them in," he said.

Bob Nakata, another town hall meeting coordinator, expressed concern about the low attendance at the meetings and said that the campaign must move into a new phase.

"The catalyzing happened so fast we don't have all the plans in place on how to move," Nakata said. "Other places are looking to us as a model, and we're still putting things together."

Still he's confident of the crusade's progress and points to legislators getting involved and promising to tighten the laws; more communities holding anti-drug meetings; and perhaps more money provided for treatment.

Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona, U.S. Attorney Ed Kubo, the state attorney general and the city prosecutor all are adding the power of their offices to the campaign.

"In a sense, we've created a tiger and we're having trouble riding it," said Nakata who recently relinquished his position as executive director at KEY Project and is now pastor at Kahalu'u United Methodist Church. "Maybe bigger entities have to take it on and take it statewide."

Aiona is planning a drug-control strategy summit in September and community "talk story" forums. The summit will focus on how to improve the quality of life in Hawai'i by developing and enhancing drug prevention, treatment and interdiction programs, Aiona said.

Grassroots efforts are always encouraging, he said, and Kahalu'u should continue its efforts to patrol and sign-wave. But more will be necessary to eliminate the problem, Aiona said. He called for systematic planning to make a meaningful difference and avoid pitfalls.

"A winner makes commitments, a loser makes promises," he said. "(Kahalu'u) community is a winner because (it) has made a commitment to battling ice. Imua Kahalu'u."

Nakata said crusade organizers have recognized a need for more planning and hope to refocus and strengthen community bonds with a cleanup of Waiahole Beach Park.

"When people work together, relationships build." Nakata said. "In the long run, what we're after is building a strong and healthy community, and that depends on good working relationships among people."

Pastor David Kahiapo, who has been to all of the drug meetings and sign-wavings, said he is not frustrated that attendance has dropped.

Once positive change takes place, more people will want to get involved again, he said.

"There's a select few that say, 'No matter, we're in it for the long haul,' " Kahiapo said. "It may have dwindled a little but it's far from being over."

Reach Eloise Aguiar at eaguiar@honoluluadvertiser.com or 234-5266.