HOUSE HOPEFULS PLOT WAR ON DRUGS

Most Candidates Agree Robust Federal Support Is Crucial To The Fight

As Hawaii continues the fight against illegal drugs, particularly
crystal methamphetamine, or "ice," candidates seeking to represent the
2nd Congressional District in the U.S. House say their job, if
elected, would be to make sure the state receives its fair share of
federal dollars and other resources to combat the problem.

"Ice is tearing families and businesses apart, and it's the most
urgent public health problem that Hawaii faces," said state Rep. Brian
Schatz (D, Tantalus-Makiki). "We need federal dollars for prevention,
treatment and law enforcement.

"I would work closely with Sen. (Dan) Inouye to bring home these
dollars."

Others agreed that a big key to securing needed resources is to work
with other members of the delegation and law enforcement at all levels
of government.

"Combating the use of illegal drugs requires the concerted efforts of
the local, state and federal governments and enforcement agencies,"
said former biotech executive Hanalei Aipoalani, a Democrat.

Comments were in response to a Star-Bulletin e-mail survey sent to all
the Democrats and Republicans seeking to replace Ed Case to represent
rural Oahu and the neighbor islands in the U.S. House.

Candidates were asked, As a member of Congress, what would you do at
the federal level to continue the fight against illegal drugs,
particularly "ice," in Hawaii?

Three years after the much-balleyhooed statewide summit to address the
state's ice problem, some tangible steps already have been taken.

Earlier this year, Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona signed into law a
measure that requires anyone buying common cold medicines containing
pseudoephedrine -- which is used to make ice -- to show photo
identification and sign a logbook at the store. Some stores already
are enforcing the law, which goes into effect on Oct. 1. In announcing
the legislation in June, law enforcement officials noted that there
had been only one documented meth lab investigated in Hawaii this
year, compared with 17 last year.

"Our police and Hawaii DEA agents are doing a good job with what they
have available, but Hawaii needs more resources," said state Sen.
Clayton Hee (D, Kahuku-Kaneohe). "Washington needs to pay more
attention to our special needs, and in particular the fact that we are
an island state which requires more financial resources to access the
ocean and each island harbor."

In addition to funding for existing programs, Republican candidate
Quentin Kawananakoa said he also would try to attack the problem at
the production level.

"I am committed to passing federal legislation that requires mandatory
minimum sentencing for the operation of a crystal methamphetamine
lab," he said.

The campaign's other GOP candidate, Sen. Bob Hogue, noted that the
Legislature also passed a bill this year making it easier for law
enforcement agencies to obtain electronic wiretaps for monitoring drug
traffickers.

"I support a balanced approach of strong enforcement and working with
law enforcement officials while recognizing the local needs for
treatment. ... I'll work to secure federal funding for all these
needs," said Hogue (R, Kaneohe-Kailua).

State Sen. Gary Hooser, the only candidate who does not live on Oahu,
noted that the need for anti-drug resources is greater in the 2nd
Congressional District because of the inroads that ice has made in
neighbor island communities.

"Too many here fall victim first to their addiction, then to a system
that punishes them disproportionately while denying them what they
need most: effective treatment," said Hooser (D, Niihau-Kauai).

Honolulu City Councilman Nestor Garcia said he supports a
three-pronged approach similar to the National Drug Control Strategy,
which would include pursuing federal dollars for more treatment beds
and maintaining Hawaii's designation as a High Intensity Drug
Trafficking Area, which allows for more coordination of efforts
between federal agencies.

"First, I would emphasize education and community engagement to help
stop drug abuse before it starts," he said.

State Sen. Ron Menor (D, Mililani) said his approach also would
combine education, treatment and law enforcement.

"We must put more federal money into fighting the criminals who
manufacture and distribute Ice and other drugs," he said. "Those
convicted with distribution and manufacture of drugs must be punished."

But law enforcement cannot focus solely on ice, said former state Sen.
Matt Matsunaga.

"As ice arrests decrease in Hawaii, trafficking is up for drugs like
cocaine," he said. "Without a comprehensive strategy, we'll forever be
winning occasional battles but losing the war."

State Sen. Colleen Hanabusa, who was co-chairwoman of the
Legislature's 2003 Joint Task Force on Ice and Drug Abatement, said a
proactive, cooperative approach is needed.

"I would obtain additional federal funding to augment interdiction,
prosecutorial and treatment programs of state and local authorities,"
said Hanabusa (D, Nanakuli-Makua). "On the state level, we passed
legislation that required treatment for nonviolent, first-time
offenders. This treatment program is working, and we should obtain
federal funds to expand it."

Former Lt. Gov. Mazie Hirono called for more funding and support to
identify and prosecute drug manufacturers and traffickers.

"At the same time, money is needed for more rehabilitation facilities
for those who are addicted, since we currently have a shortage," she
said. "In the long term we should focus on the prevention side of the
problem -- especially on research into understanding and combating
drug addiction."

Honolulu attorney and marathon runner Joe Zuiker also stressed the
need for cooperation, while also calling it critical for government to
be more fiscally disciplined and stop wasteful spending.

"It is for this very important problem area that I constantly remind
all that Congress must stop wasting money on expensive and noncritical
'pork barrel' spending," he said. "We need the money for true national
priorities like the ice threat."

Robert Wilcox IV, a nonpartisan candidate in the race, did not return
messages to the Star-Bulletin seeking his participation in the e-mail
survey.