'ICE' TAKES CENTER STAGE AT LINGLE TALK

The state's war on the so-called "ice" epidemic in Hawaii was the recurring
theme at Gov. Linda Lingle's first "talk story" session in Kailua last
night.

Between the questions about charter schools and new roads, community members
came up often to talk about how "ice," or crystal methamphetamine, affects
their lives almost every week.

"On my street, my neighbors was getting busted," said Waimanalo resident
Andy Jamila about a raid on a Mekia Street residence yesterday involving
allegations of identity theft and ice use.

"You gotta go to the next level, governor," he said. "Neighbors gotta turn
in neighbors and families gotta turn in families."

About 250 people packed the sweltering Kailua High School cafeteria for the
first of Lingle's statewide town meetings to talk about community issues and
concerns.

People asked questions using microphones while others submitted written
questions, some anonymously, that were read by Sen. Bob Hogue (R,
Kailua-Kaneohe).

"My neighbors are selling drugs," read Hogue from one questionnaire. "Is
there a safe, confidential way to report this? Many people are afraid to
turn in their neighbors due to repercussions."

Lingle said, "One of the issues that has come up consistently has been the
frustration of the public calling police because they know something is
going on in the house next door on the block."

However, Lingle added, "police need some evidence and are understaffed in
the City and County of Honolulu."

Other issues included whether the state can even the playing field for local
companies to vie for big government contracts with the military for projects
in Hawaii. One question addressed sending local inmates to mainland prisons.

"Sending prisoners to the mainland is not a good approach ... it's never
good to separate inmates from their families," said Lingle. "It's also not
smart to take $35 million out of our state and give it to other states."

Lingle said after the meeting that she was happy to have covered so many
issues within the two hours.

"I like the variety of issues that came up," she said. "Especially about the
children of prisoners ... that's a very important issue."

Lingle was referring to the testimony of Malia Staggs, the ex-wife of Duane
Staggs, convicted of the Sept. 28, 1996, murder of his boss, Don Mike
Gillis, near the Arizona Memorial. Malia Staggs said that when her
ex-husband went to prison in 1997 she was left with a then-3-year-old son
and few options.

"There was no support for us seven years ago," said Staggs in tears at the
microphone. "And there are so many other kids at risk."

Lingle's next "Talk Story" meeting is Saturday from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the
Royal Lahaina Hotel on Maui.