BIG ISLAND GETS FEDERAL DRUG FUNDS

The head of the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration gave Mayor Harry Kim a check for nearly $900,000 Thursday to go
toward a residential adolescent drug treatment facility on the Big Island.

The facility will be part of Kim's war on the drug crystal methamphetamine,
also known as ice.

"This is just a first step, but it's a necessary step," said the Substance
Abuse Administration's chief, Charles Curie, during a presentation Thursday
morning in Kim's office. Curie complimented the Big Island for its vision in
attacking the crystal meth problem.

He said the $893,986 check represents a commitment by federal Health and Human
Services Secretary Tommy Thompson, who visited the Big Island in January and
learned about its ice problem. "Your vision is a shared vision," said Curie,
who described himself as a "recovering provider."

Curie, who attended the three - day ice summit held this week on Oahu, noted
that both Kim and Gov. Linda Lingle have made it a priority to combat the
highly addictive drug. "I think Hawaii is on the cusp of some great things on
the horizon," he said.

Kim said 200 adolescents have to leave the Big Island each year for drug
treatment. The new facility will allow them to stay on the island and be near
their families during treatment. "There's a lot of sadness in regard to the
problem," he said. "And when you have this kind of resources, it provides a lot
of hope."

Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona said the Big Island's drug treatment program will
be a model for the state.

Richard Kim, president of The Catalyst Group LLC in Honolulu, will evaluate the
program to make sure the money is being used appropriately. Kim, who is not
related to the mayor, said the plan is to integrate proven treatment strategies
with "culturally appropriate" components, including Hawaiian healing practices.

He said most of the money will go for hiring service providers, such as a
project coordinator, drug counselors, cultural role models and possibly a
psychiatrist.

Mayoral assistant Billy Kenoi, who is coordinating the county's drug fight,
said the project will receive another $300,000 from the state and will use $1
million from a $4 million dollar anti - ice grant from the Department of
Justice. The combined funds will be enough to pay for construction and
operation of the treatment facility, he said.

Kenoi said he is negotiating to obtain 5 acres of land in North Hawaii for the
facility. He said his goal is to have it in operation by January.

It will be unlike any other, Kenoi said, describing a "mauka - makai" plan that
incorporates farming and ocean activities with education and counseling so the
clients will develop "positive relationships" with the land and ocean while
receiving treatment. "We want the kids to paddle canoe, get out in the ocean,"
Kenoi said. "We want the kids to do voyaging."

Kenoi said the treatment program might start with eight beds and build up to 16
beds after the first year. "We're finalizing the model," he said. "Our goal is
to make it some place beautiful."