COUNTY MAY BUILD DRUG FACILITY

As part of its war on ice, Hawaii County hopes to build the Big Island's first
residential drug - treatment facility for kids.

The county expects to receive $2.2 million in combined federal and state money
earmarked for an adolescent center, said Billy Kenoi, executive assistant to
Mayor Harry Kim.

Kenoi appeared before the County Council's Finance Committee on Wednesday to
urge acceptance of $300,000 for the facility and another $100,000 for community
efforts to fight crystal methamphetamine, or ice, use. The state Legislature
awarded the money.

While council members applauded the anti - drug effort, several asked for
specifics on how the money will be spent, who will run the facility and where
it will be located.

"I think it's high time that the administration unveil its plan to the county,"
said committee Chairman Aaron Chung, who represents the Keaukaha, Waiakea Uka
and Panaewa areas of Hilo. "It really hasn't been articulated to anyone yet."

The committee amended the funding bill to require a detailed expenditure plan
from the administration before it may spend the money.

Anxious to move forward with getting help to drug - dependent kids, Kenoi
agreed with the committee's request for a written report.

"There's a very detailed and coordinated effort ongoing," Kenoi said, noting he
has been in contact with federal officials and is aware trained professionals
must run the facility.

Hamakua Councilman Fred Holschuh, a retired emergency room doctor, suggested
including treatment for suicidal teens, who also must go to Oahu for help.

"We got to stop sending those kids away, too," he said.

Kenoi later told the Tribune - Herald that the administration hopes to break
ground early next year on a 16 - bed facility. It is looking for land in Kohala
to keep the center close to a traditional Hawaiian sailing program run out of
Kawaihae Harbor, he said.

Voyaging, working with both the land and ocean and the healing process known as
hooponopono are envisioned to be part of the treatment process, Kenoi said. The
idea is to focus on cultural, spiritual and hands - on approaches rather than a
medical strategy, he said.

However, Kenoi stressed that nothing has been finalized, adding that the
federal and state grants might only pay for a smaller facility that would house
just four boys and four girls.

About 200 Big Island youths leave the island each year to receive residential
drug treatment at Oahu and Maui facilities, according to state Department of
Health records.

Puna Councilman Gary Safarik said he sent a family member to Oahu to get help
for drug addiction. Separating the troubled kids from their families hinders
the treatment effort, he said.

As for the $100,000 in state money earmarked for community - based efforts to
battle ice use, the goal is to build a $500,000 fund that organizations can tap
for their programs, Kenoi told lawmakers.

Kenoi said he hopes to get experts to train local community groups on how to
obtain the most benefit from the available money.

"There'll be no money spent that's not accounted for," he said.