MOLOKAI SEEKING HELP IN DRUG FIGHT

Rash Of Tragedies Prompts Calls For Better Treatment

KAUNAKAKAI -- Molokai will join other communities around the state in
protesting the destruction caused by drugs when residents take to the
streets today to seek support for a program to help those in recovery.

"We don't want to talk about the problem anymore; we want to move into
working on the solution," said Varna Nakihei, founder and president of Ka
Hale Pomaikai (The Blessed House), a nonprofit organization that needs more
funding to provide a transitional "safe house" where citizens can go after
completing treatment.

Nakihei said recent tragedies on the island -- a rash of attempted and
successful suicides in the past three years along with four car accidents,
two fatal, in the last two months -- have made residents sit up and take
notice. They will wave signs in Kaunakakai from 3 to 5 p.m. urging an end to
drugs and substance abuse.

Maui County Council Member Danny Mateo, elected to the Molokai seat, said he
believes community members realize they must act now.

"It's really starting to hit home," said Mateo. "Over the last few years,
our community has seen the devastating effects of drugs. We know about the
suicides; we know people are losing their homes to foreclosures."

At the root of the crisis: crystal methamphetamine ("ice") and alcohol
abuse.

Nakihei hopes that Ka Hale Pomaikai can serve as a bridge that will enable
those who have recently completed treatment programs to remain sober after
returning to their communities. Too many times, she said, residents come
back after only a few weeks of substance abuse counseling and immediately
relapse because they have nowhere else to go but their homes, where the
problems continue.

"We're filling the gap," said Nakihei. "They come here after treatment and
we work with the whole family."

That philosophy that a person is only as good as those supporting him or her
fits perfectly on rural Molokai, where much of the community is still
related by blood or friendship.

"The problems we face are not individual problems," agreed Mateo. "They are
not family problems, but a community problem. We've got a lot of work to do,
but that work has to come from the commitment of the community. That's the
only way it's going to work."

Ka Hale Pomaikai was awarded $270,000 in Community Development Block Grant
funds in March to purchase nine acres in East Molokai with two dwellings
that have been built, but are mostly shells in need of fixtures and
furnishings. Shari Lynn, executive director of the group, figures it will
take at least $250,000 more to finish off the structures and make them
suitable for 12 residents: six men and six women.

After that, there's a projected $500,000 budget to provide for staff and
cover living costs for those staying at the home.

A recent request for $65,000 from the county resulted in only $3,700 in
reality. Lynn said the group hopes to win a three-year federal grant that
could chip in another $20,000 or more annually.

For the past seven years, the volunteers of Ka Hale Pomaikai, many of them
recovered users, have reached out to Molokai neighbors trying to overcome
their addictions.

"We still provide services, even if we don't have a facility," said Lynn, a
certified substance abuse counselor. "We provide services from our cars,
from our sidewalks."

Lynn said Ka Hale Pomaikai has ideas to eventually become self-supporting,
but needs that first chunk of cash to get over the hump. After today's
sign-waving demonstration to mobilize the community, the group will sponsor
a Sept. 11 forum, to which they hope to attract Lt. Gov. Duke Aiona, who is
heading up a statewide effort to tackle ice. In November, a concert will be
held to raise money for the safe house.

Nakihei, herself a recovering drug user and alcoholic, said the group wants
to get the attention of Gov. Linda Lingle, as well. Lingle started her
political career by winning the Molokai seat on the County Council.

Ka Hale Pomaikai already has support from such local organizations as Na
Pu'uwai, the Hawaiian health care system; the Department of Hawaiian Home
Lands; Alu Like; Molokai General Hospital; and Queen Lili'uokalani Trust.
There's also support from teachers, students and Mateo -- all of whom will
be waving signs on the front lines this afternoon.

"I think because we've seen people from around the state come out against
drugs in their communities, it's easier for us to acknowledge our problem,"
said Mateo. "We know we're not the only one."