WEED & SEED AREA MAY EXPAND

Residents hoping to expand the Weed & Seed law enforcement program from the
Kalihi-Palama/Chinatown site east into Kalihi Valley and west into the Ala
Moana area will hold their first combined community conversation Jan. 13 at
the State Capitol.

People living on both sides of the Chinatown Weed & Seed area were working
toward setting up separate programs in their neighborhoods when a decision
was made to join forces and to create a larger area addressing mutual needs,
according to Hawai'i Weed & Seed executive director Maile Kanemaru.

In October, the residents submitted a joint proposal to create the expanded
Weed & Seed area. A decision on the plan, which was submitted to the U.S.
Justice Department in Washington, D.C., is expected in late February or
early March, Kanemaru said.

Official designation would bring federal support for fighting crime and
tougher penalties for criminals operating in the area, but the effort will
continue regardless of the decision, Kanemaru said.

"Whether we get the designation or not, we want to continue the initiative
anyway because as far as community mobilization, we don't need to wait for
government to tell us to move forward," Kanemaru said. "If people really
care, they are willing to make something happen. They've got the state
legislators on board as far as looking at what resources are available. Our
attitude is people care, so let's continue with our thoughts and ideas
anyway."

Weed & Seed got its Hawai'i start in 1998 in Kalihi-Palama/Chinatown, which
has seen a 70 percent drop in crime in the past four years. A second site
began in Waipahu in late 2000, and drug crimes there have fallen by 78
percent.

The 'Ewa Weed & Seed site is the third on O'ahu, an effort that just got
started in September. There are currently more than 351 sites in 46 states.
The program is a coordinated effort among city, state and federal law
enforcement agencies and residents to target violent crime, drug abuse and
gang activity.

Weed & Seed relies on community efforts and tough legal penalties to "weed
out" crime, then applies crime prevention, intervention, treatment and
neighborhood revitalization to "seed" a safer community.

The Chinatown program's eastern border is Nu'uanu Avenue downtown and
Kapalama Stream on the west. Ala Moana residents want it expanded to
Kalakaua Avenue, and Kalihi residents would like to see it enforced far down
Middle Street and into Kalihi Valley.

Both areas have obvious need for the weed part of the program, said Lynne
Matusow, chairwoman of the Downtown Neighborhood Board, with illegal drugs,
prostitution and gambling flourishing in certain sections. What residents
hope to do at the meeting is begin to work together to develop a plan to
"seed" the area, bringing private businesses into the program.

"This is an attempt to get everyone together to make this thing work,"
Matusow said. "Talking to each other. We want to see it succeed down here
and that is one reason we need to work together."

Rep. Ken Hiraki, D-25th (Downtown, Ala Moana), said companies such as
Verizon Hawai'i and the Hawai'i Medical Service Association have said they
would like to partner in the seeding effort along with area schools.

"The weed part, police say don't worry, they can take care of that," Hiraki
said. "For the long-term success, the seed part is where the community has
to step up to the plate or else it falls apart."

Hiraki said anyone interested in becoming a partner in the effort or in
creating a new district on their own should attend the meeting to get
familiar with the process.

"If Weed & Seed modifies or rejects our application, then it is up to the
community to pick up the pieces and see if we can still do it," Hiraki said.
"That's a little tougher, but that doesn't mean communications will stop. By
getting together and showing that we are united, it might improve our
chances."

AT A GLANCE

* What: A community conversation about Project Weed & Seed

* When: 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 13

* Where: State Capitol auditorium

* Why: To meet neighbors from throughout the planned expansion of the Weed
& Seed program from Chinatown to Kalihi Valley and Ala Moana.

* Information: Maile Kanemaru, 543-2216; or Rep. Kenneth Hiraki, 586-6180.