FORUM TO EXPLORE IMPACTS OF JAIL, SUBSTANCE ABUSE ON MAUI FAMILIES

WAILUKU - Maui Economic Opportunity's Being Empowered and Safe
Together (BEST) community reintegration program is sponsoring a
community forum to share concerns on the effects of incarceration and
substance abuse on Maui families.

The forum will take place today, Thursday, Jan. 7, at Classrooms 1-2
of MEO's Weinberg Family Center at 99 Mahalani St. in Wailuku from 5
to 8:30 p.m.

The event's panel will be comprised of Rep. Mele Carroll, Danette
Kahele Arrojo, Lenny Hatori and Aunty Honey, whose daughter was sent
off island, and as a result, she is now caring for her
grandchildren.

Following the panel, there will be small group discussions on these
topics: How have drugs affected your family or families you know; how
has incarceration affected your family or families you know; what will
you do personally to address these issues in 2010; and what will you
tell County Council members and Maui County legislators about these
issues?

Guests will include Maui Community Correctional Center's warden and
deputy warden, Pete McDonald and Alan Nouchi; County Councilmen Mike
Victorino and Joe Pontanilla; Rep. Faye Hanohano; Dr. William Kepler
and Department of Health Nurse LuEllen Kepler.

In addition to the discussions, the event will provide heavy pupus
from 5 to 6 p.m.

"Community members are encouraged to attend to discuss these important
issues that affect everyone's 'ohana," said MEO BEST Program Director
Ken Hunt.