Seven people accused of dealing drugs near a Kalihi Valley elementary school were turned in by residents upset that children were being exposed to the crime, police said.

After the complaints, police launched a seven-month undercover investigation and made more than a dozen drug buys from five men and two 17-year-old girls, police said.

Area residents said that drug dealing near Kalihi Uka Elementary School had been bad for years but tapered off recently because of police enforcement. Area residents were angry that a group of people was using juvenile girls and selling "ice" in plain view of schoolchildren.

"The fact the school is right there and young kids are observing these operations is terribly upsetting," said William E. Woods-Bateman, chairman of the Kalihi Valley neighborhood board.

Honolulu police said they tracked the group from Stanley Street in Kalihi to the corner of Laumaile Street and Nihi Street, directly behind Kalihi Uka Elementary School.

The adults in the group sold crystal methamphetamine and other drugs openly on the street and the juveniles were used to sell the drugs to younger people, police said.

Police had been tipped off to the group by residents living near Stanley Street. The operation was conducted by District 5 crime reduction unit officers.

"It's very disappointing and it's unfortunate it's near a school because we don't need that near kids," said Honolulu police Maj. Kurt B. Kendro, who supervises district five operations for the department. "We just made an arrest in this area earlier in the year and we've had to go back and make more arrests. All we can do is remain vigilant."

STIFF FEDERAL CHARGES

Because four of the group's members, Larry Ordinado Jr., 25; Nalu Kamaka, 23; Joshua Gonda, 18; and Danmar Galapia, 27; allegedly were dealing within 1,000 feet of a school, they face up to 20 years in federal prison.

All four were indicted for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of an elementary school. Authorities were able to bring federal charges in the case because the area where they allegedly were operating is a designated federal Weed and Seed area.

"We will continue to aggressively pursue those individuals who would dare conduct their drug dealing activities in any Weed and Seed area, or near any areas where our children congregate," said U.S. Attorney Ed Kubo.

"Those who would attempt to sell drugs near schools or playgrounds do not deserve any chances of probation. They are a danger to our families, and we will target and punish them with federal prison time."

A fifth man, Jaime Uganiza, 31, will be tried in state court because the methamphetamine he allegedly sold undercover officers turned out to be fake.

Additional charges against the men for conspiring to aid the crimes of a juvenile may be filed, police said.

The Weed and Seed program, which attempts to "weed" out criminal elements and "seed" community involvement and pride, is a program of the U.S. Department of Justice designed to involve all sectors of a community in addressing crime.

"We are grateful that programs like Weed and Seed have drawn attention to the problem and are helping to remove drug dealing from our schools," said Greg Knudsen, spokesman for the state Department of Education.

SECOND TIME AROUND

The bust is the second operation to result in federal drug charges against individuals selling crystal methamphetamine near a Kalihi school in the last eight months.

In March, police arrested 11 people, including five convicted felons, on federal and state drug charges. Police seized a quarter pound of crystal methamphetamine worth $16,000 during the sting.

The operation was initiated after police received numerous complaints from residents about drug dealing on 'Akepo Lane. Princess Kaiulani Elementary School and Honolulu Community College both sit within 1,000 feet of the lane.

Reach Peter Boylan at pboylan@honoluluadvertiser.com.