HAWAI'I CRIME PREVENTION EFFORTS HIGHLIGHTED

Trends Include Statewide Efforts To Curtail Crystal Methamphetamine
Use Across The State

HONOLULU - Lt. Governor James R. "Duke" Aiona Jr. along with three top
law enforcement officials announced today during a news conference at
the State Capitol results of coordinated, crime prevention efforts
within the state.

Chief among them were signs of progress from steps taken to curb
crystal methamphetamine use, or "Ice," across Hawai'i. U.S. Attorney
Ed Kubo Jr., Attorney General Mark Bennett, Honolulu Deputy Police
Chief Michael Tucker and the Lt. Governor also highlighted key efforts
to prevent crime against residents and visitors alike.

Examples included 'Ewa Weed and Seed, which was recently recognized at
the National Conference on Preventing Crime, and the Hawai'i Hotel
Visitor Industry Security Association, a statewide group created to
share information on crime among hotels. That was in addition to the
Totally Against Graffiti (TAG) team, which has attracted more than 100
volunteers for paint-outs in such neighborhoods as McCully and Moili'ili.

"We must continue to take an aggressive and collective approach to
address our drug and property crime issues," Lt. Governor Aiona said.
"These are the types of crimes that destroy families and tear at the
fabric of our society."

U.S. Attorney Kubo emphasized the importance of collaborative
partnerships between law enforcement, the community and the private
sector in fighting crime. "The Weed and Seed strategy has successfully
united 'Ewa Beach businesses, residents, law enforcement agencies,
social services and non-profit organizations to reclaim, restore and
rebuild neighborhoods in 'Ewa," said U.S. Attorney Kubo. "I am proud
of what 'Ewa Weed and Seed has accomplished these past five years."

Representative Kymberly Pine ('Ewa Beach) recognized 'Ewa Weed &
Seed's achievement with a certificate from the House of
Representatives.

"The 2007 McGruff Crime Prevention Award is a direct result of all the
hard work put in by our coordinator, staff, police officers and all
the volunteers that make this program so successful in building a
better community in 'Ewa Beach," said Rep. Pine, the former chair of
'Ewa Weed & Seed for Neighborhood Restoration.

"From beach and park cleanups to active enforcement and education by
the police officers, the Weed & Seed team has been the driving force
in reducing crime throughout our community."

Attorney General Bennett encouraged other individuals and groups to
work with law enforcement to prevent crime in their communities.
"Together, we can make a difference for the safety and well-being of
everyone in Hawai'i," Bennett said.

Honolulu Deputy Police Chief Tucker said community involvement has
already made an important difference in anti-graffiti efforts in the
McCully/Moili'ili area. "Graffiti is not only an eye sore, but a
crime," Deputy Chief Tucker said. "More people need to get involved to
clean up our communities.

Lt. Governor Aiona credited a collective effort for a reduction in
"Ice" use in the workplace, which dropped 25 percent in the third
quarter of 2007 to its lowest levels in years while continuing a
steady decline. Lt. Governor Aiona said that was based a sample of
about 700 local businesses surveyed by Diagnostic Laboratory Services,
the state's largest drug-testing company.

The Lt. Governor also said fewer people in adult treatment centers are
identifying "Ice" as their primary drug of choice, decreasing from
50.2 percent in 2004 to 48.2 percent today, according to the Alcohol
and Drug Abuse Division of the state Department of Health.

In addition, the number of meth labs across the state has decreased
from 16 in 2004 to two this year, according to the High Intensity Drug
Trafficking Area. Lt. Governor Aiona attributed the decrease, in part,
to more restrictive laws to purchase active ingredients in home-based
meth labs.

"These are all very clear signals that we're making significant
progress in our efforts to curb "Ice" use," Lt. Governor Aiona said.