GANG ACTIVITY IS ON THE RISE ON MAUI

The sudden rise in gang behavior on Maui is becoming more
obvious.

Recently, at church, I witnessed an initiation of a new member into a
recently created street gang. The teenager, only 17 years old, was
violently beaten by several members of the gang. The novice tolerated
the violence and made no attempt to defend himself. Five members took
their turn to cause him bodily injury while testing how virile (macho)
and loyal the new member would be.

I was outraged and disappointed that the victim would not mention the
names of his attackers to the police. These young men left the church
buildings to conduct their own initiation ritual while the priest
inside had been preaching about reconciliation, forgiveness and the
power of baptism in this season of Lent.

Our youth are frantically looking for community. Ethnic groups, which
form the new wave of immigration to Hawaii, need to address this
problem by forming youth communities and offering activities for the
adolescents and young adults that are particular to their needs.
Without doubt, the new gangs will eventually get into the sale of
drugs and battles will begin to claim territory and clients.

I experienced this reality in San Jose, Calif. We don't want the same
to become a reality on Maui.

Frank Gomes

Makawao