MAJOR CRIMES IN ISLES OFTEN LINKED TO 'ICE,' EXPERT REPORTS

Gary Shimabukuro does not have to make up horror stories about the affect of
crystal methamphetamine on users, their families and the community.

He knows the truth is far more effective.

As an international drug treatment and prevention consultant who gives talks
to schools, businesses and government agencies, Shimabukuro told legislators
at a House-Senate committee meeting yesterday that Hawaii's epidemic of
"ice" -- the smokable form of crystal meth -- is often linked to major
crimes in Hawaii.

For example, he said, John Miranda was on ice in February 1996 when he shot
a former boss and held several other former co-workers hostages at a Sand
Island company before he was shot and killed by police.

Another example, Shimabukuro said, was John Sinapati, who was high on
crystal methamphetamine when he repeatedly shot at Honolulu police officer
Stan Cook after a routine traffic stop in Waipahu in August 1994. Cook
suffered major injuries but returned to duty; Sinapati was killed.

Ice is also a leading contributor to domestic violence and child abuse. And
it is the reason for Hawaii's high property crime rate.

"At some point the public has got to say, 'We've had enough,'" he said. "I'm
willing to pay more money ... to make this problem go away."

Lawmakers also heard from Keith Kamita, chief of the state Narcotics
Enforcement Division, during an overview of the state's ice problem. The
House-Senate committee, which was formed a month ago, wants to come up with
a package of bills for next session to address the problem.

"Hawaii's seeing one of its worst epidemics," Kamita said. "Actually, its
been here awhile."

Eric Hamakawa (D, South Hilo-Kurtistown), House Judiciary chairman and panel
co-chairman, said the two men gave a graphic presentation that sheds some
light on this serious problem.

State Sens. Melodie Aduja (D, Kaneohe) and Colleen Hanabusa (D, Waianae) are
the committee's other managers. Aduja said she was shocked at the amount of
hazardous waste produced to make ice and the danger it brings to the
community and the environment.

For every pound of ice created, it creates about five pounds of hazardous
material.

"And where does this hazardous waste go?" she said. "According to the
testimony, it goes down the drain, it goes into the rivers, it goes into the
streams, it's buried in yards."

Hanabusa wondered whether it would be more effective for the state to create
a drug czar to coordinate all local enforcement agencies, but acknowledged
money is a problem.

"What's the best use so that we can have a uniform approach to this
problem?" she asked.

Kamita responded that federal, state and county officials coordinate their
efforts whenever any of these agencies request assistance, and it has worked
well despite lack of manpower for his 16-member narcotics unit.

"Money is a problem here," Kamita said, "but I think, yes, it would work."

The Lingle administration is planning a summit later this year to discuss
ways to deal with Hawaii's ice problem.