Dressed in his orange vest and blue jeans, Paul has his anti-graffiti gear stowed neatly, ready to go, in the trunk of his car. There's a paint brush, rags, water and a permit from the state Department of Transportation authorizing him to paint out the offending words.

"You don't change things overnight, but there is so much gratification and it won't cost you a cent," said Paul, 70, retired publisher of the Waikiki Beach Press.

He's focused on Niu Valley, a community of about 700 homes, where Paul lives.

"We appreciate everyone's help," said Scott Ishikawa, state Department of Transportation spokesman. "The quicker we wipe it out, the better. Our crews can't be everywhere at once, so if people are willing to volunteer, we'll supply the paint."

Other communities have banded together to fight graffiti, too. The Waikele Community Association and the Mililani Town Association have anti-graffiti programs to remove graffiti on private and public properties such as park restrooms, street signs, utility boxes and street light posts. In Mililani, residents are urged to call the association to obtain a kit.

In East Honolulu alone — from Makapu'u to Manoa — there were 62 cases of graffiti crime from September to April, said acting police Sgt. Herb Schreiner, who is in charge of the community resource team. Sixteen people were arrested for criminal property crime and, depending on the value, can face felony to misdemeanor charges.

"This district has zero tolerance, and we are working hard to make arrests," he said. "Covering it (the graffiti) up is the best defense. It's awesome that someone wants to help out. Hopefully, whoever is doing the graffiti will stop or go somewhere else."

Paul said his effort started about two months ago after he saw graffiti of a man pointing a gun at another on an electrical signal light box near the former Times Supermarket in Niu Valley. Outraged, he began to call around to find out how to get it removed. That's when he decided he'd become the one-man army if the state provided the right color of paint to match the color of the box.

So, armed with a permit from the state and paint, Paul is now an authorized graffiti remover for public property. So far he's painted 17 electrical signal boxes — refrigerator-size metal containers that hold the wiring for traffic signals — all the same grey color. You'll see him in the early mornings, scouring the neighborhood, taking notice of what needs painting. Later in the day, when it's cooler, Paul usually does his painting.

"They told me to make sure I had my permit with me at all times, just in case a police officer stopped me," Paul said. "I've developed a procedure and started on the corner of Halema'uma'u Street and Kalaniana'ole Highway, and worked my way westward and inward."

And residents in Niu Valley have noticed his efforts. Some have stopped him and told him he's a sweet man for taking this on. Others honk and give him a thumbs-up.

"Its very gratifying," Paul said. "I've always believed that you have to give back to your community. I hope others in Hawai'i Kai, Kuli'ou'ou, 'Aina Haina and Kahala will want to do this too. It's not too labor intensive. It's kind of fun and rewarding."