Kaheka may start Weed & Seed
By James Gonser
Advertiser Urban Honolulu Writer
Tonight, residents, business owners and social agencies in the Sheridan-Kaheka area will hear law enforcement plans to cut crime in their neighborhood and will be asked to take an active role in revitalizing the area at the first public meeting for the newly expanded Kalihi-Palama/Chinatown Weed & Seed law enforcement program.
The meeting is critical, organizers say, because the Weed & Seed program depends on community participation to be successful.
"People can become part of the solution," Sen. Carol Fukunaga said.
"We're now at a point where we are moving forward and giving everyone a chance to get involved," said Sen. Carol Fukunaga, D-11th (Makiki, Pawa'a). "People can become part of the solution."
The U.S. Department of Justice last month approved the expansion of the Weed & Seed law enforcement program from the Kalihi-Palama/Chinatown site west into Kalihi Valley and east into the Ala Moana area.
Weed & Seed is a coordinated effort among city, state and federal law enforcement agencies and residents to target violent crime, drug abuse and gang activity. Official designation brings federal money to fight crime and tough federal penalties for violations in the area — the "weed" side — combined with crime prevention and efforts at intervention, treatment and neighborhood revitalization to "seed" a safer community.
• What: The first meeting of residents and police in the expanded Weed & Seed law enforcement program into the Sheridan-Kaheka-McCully area. • When: 6:30 tonight • Where: Makiki Christian Church, 829 Pensacola St. in the second-floor social hall. • Information: Call 586-6890 or 586-6180.
Since the Kalihi-Palama/Chinatown site was launched in 1998, crimes such as homicide, rape, robbery and assault have dropped as much as 75 percent, according to U.S. Attorney Ed Kubo.
At a glance
Community restoration projects in the area include upgrades to public housing and parks, job training programs and neighborhood cleanups.
Tonight's meeting at Makiki Christian Church will include a discussion of the law enforcement effects and community benefits of Weed & Seed.
Police Maj. Michael Tucker will discuss crime-fighting strategies, and Makiki resident John Steelquist will detail neighborhood restoration projects.
"The meeting is important because we want to get a lot more direct neighborhood involvement," Fukunaga said. "Violent crime and illegal drug activity are something you can now help the police prevent."
One of the first projects will be to repaint all the bus stops in the area, and a major community cleanup is set for Oct. 18, Fukunaga said.
The original Weed & Seed site included an area from Nu'uanu Avenue to the Kapalama Canal between H-1 Freeway and North King Street and Dillingham Boulevard.
The expanded program will include areas all the way to Kalakaua Avenue and the Convention Center in the east and to Kalihi Street and most of Kalihi Valley in the west.
Another meeting for Kalihi Valley residents to develop plans in their neighborhood is being planned, said Maile Kanemaru, Hawai'i Weed & Seed executive director.
A second Weed & Seed site was designated in late 2000 in Waipahu, where drug crimes have fallen by 78 percent. An 'Ewa site, the third on O'ahu, got started in September 2002. There are more than 351 Weed & Seed sites in 46 states.
Reach James Gonser at jgonser@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2431.
