Waipahu board backs halfway house

By Will Hoover
Advertiser Leeward O'ahu Writer

WAIPAHU — The Waipahu Neighborhood Board last night voted to support a 140-bed inmate transitional facility at 94-104 Pupu'ole Place in Waipahu after hearing opposing views about the program from area residents.

Both sides came armed with signed petitions favoring or criticizing Victory 'Ohana, which took over the Fresh Start program in Waipahu a year ago.

Waipahu resident Chuck Wheatley told the approximately 70 people at the gathering that his main worry is that hardened criminals are being housed within walking distance of intermediate and elementary schools.

Wheatley was supported by state Rep. Alex Sonson, D-35th (Waipahu, Crestview), who issued a statement before the meeting saying that the facility seriously jeopardizes efforts to curb drugs in a high-crime area, particularly because that neighborhood has a partnership with the federal Weed and Seed program.

Sonson said he was disturbed to learn that such transitional facilities are not regulated, nor are there any licensing criteria for them by either the state or the city.

Gary Shields, executive director of Victory 'Ohana, said he has operated two inmate transitional facilities in Waipahu for more than a decade without incident.

Shields was supported by numerous individuals and agency officials, including representatives from the Hawai'i Paroling Authority and the office of U.S. Attorney Ed Kubo.

Shields said Victory 'Ohana has worked with police and other agencies with positive results.

He said studies have shown that programs such as his are effective in reducing the number of inmates who return to prison.

"The national statistic is that 80 percent of the people who leave prison return," Shields said. "But 70 percent of the people we deal with make it through the program and do something with their lives.

"There's a shortage of these programs, and there's a tremendous need. I think society knows that."