ICE WARS: INOUYE OPTIMISTIC

Senator: 'This Will Be The First Community To Wipe Out Ice'

Government officials promised to increase federal law enforcement on the Big
Island and completely wipe out ice (crystal methamphetamine) from
neighborhoods.

"This is not going to fizzle out. This will be the first community to wipe out
ice," U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye told approximately 300 participants gathered
Monday at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott for the second Hawaii Island Meth Summit.

The community has yet to see the $4 million he promised at last year's Meth
Summit, but Billy Kenoi, the mayor's executive assistant, said the money will
be appropriated by the Department of Justice and has been earmarked for the
following: $1 million for law enforcement needs; $1 million for treatment and
rehabilitation programs (including an additional $900,000 from private
organizations and $30,000 from the state); $2 million for prevention and
education programs, with $500,000 earmarked for a community anti - drug fund
and an additional $100,000 from the state.

Big Island Mayor Harry Kim said the summit offered community members an
opportunity to talk candidly with their elected officials.

"Because of the value of not making waves that many of us have, we have a lot
of things in the community not as we want it to be," Kim said. "We suffer in
silence. Now is the time for us to open up."

Since last year's summit, police have initiated 353 ice cases and arrested 200
people for possessing ice - including a 15 - year - old boy found with 12.6
grams of the drug in his backpack, said Police Chief Lawrence Mahuna. In the
last year, Mahuna said, police have recovered 12.6 pounds of ice valued at
$1.46 million.

Mahuna likened ice to social terrorism and said the drug tears apart the fabric
of society.

"I know from firsthand experience, living next to an ice house myself," he
said. "The whole demeanor of the neighborhood changes."

U.S. Attorney Edward Kubo said he would work to further increase law
enforcement powers in the state - specifically changing the state's wire - tap
law, which he described as a complicated process and hinders prosecution the
way it stands. He also said he is committed to reinstating the state's so -
called "walk and talk" law, which allowed police to approach and question
random passengers provided the passengers gave officers consent. That law was
ruled unconstitutional in 1992, he said.

Eighty percent of the ice found on the Big Island is brought through airports
and the increased airport security since Sept. 11 does not specifically target
drugs, he said.

"The Transportation Security Administration does not look for drugs. All they
are concerned with is airplane passenger safety," Kubo said. "They are looking
for explosives, not drugs."

Since last year's summit, he said, the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and
Firearms has opened a Big Island office and the Drug Enforcement Agency has
stationed one agent permanently on the island, with plans to station more
agents if funding is available.

Increasing and improving treatment, education and prevention programs were
emphasized at last year's summit, but a "mauka to makai" treatment center
remains in the planning phase and those needing long - term intensive treatment
still must be sent off island.

But Inouye said he has already noticed positive changes in the community. He
noted an increase in community involvement since last year's summit, including
town meetings and local sign wavings and said he was committed to improving
public transportation on the island as a means to getting youth off the streets
and into after school programs.

Kevin Kunz, a Kona medical doctor with experience treating drug addicts, said
residents play a crucial role in helping ice addicts. Traditional treatment
programs can fail, he said, but a caring and involved community cannot.

Kenoi told participants change will not be instantaneous but promised it would
come over time.

"This is not just about ice," Kim said. "This is about us, who call this place
home, taking back our community."

Contacts: Big Island Meth Summit www.healingourisland.com