ORIGIN OF 'ICE' STATISTIC UNCLEAR

Inouye's Staff Cannot Confirm Source Of Teen Addict Comment

It's a staggering comment that's being repeated: Fifty percent of the
teen-agers in a Big Island town are addicted to "ice."

Numerous county and social service officials, however, could not pinpoint
the total population for the "town," let alone how many teen-agers reside
there.

Most recently the statistic was uttered by U.S. Attorney Ed Kubo, quoted in
Honolulu by The Associated Press.

He said he heard it from U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye, and added, "I'm quoting
him. I would not question our senior senator."

Inouye was the first to cite the statistic that 50 percent of teen-agers in
one town on the Big Island are addicted to crystal methamphetamine during
the Aug. 27 Hawaii Island Ice Summit. However he refused then to identify
the source of his statistics or to identify the "town."

Members of Inouye's staff said Wednesday he was speaking about Milolii, but
they did not know the source of the information. Press secretary Sandi
Skousen said the staff member charged with writing his speech was traveling
this week and she can not be reached for comment.

"No one else knows where she got it," Skousen said.

Asked if it was responsible to use a statistic of uncertain origin, Skousen
again cited the staffer's absence and would not comment.

"I can't answer that. I didn't write the speech," she said.

Many of the law enforcement, county and social service officials contacted
by West Hawaii Today had heard the 50 percent statistic, but none knew where
it came from or to whom the information was attributable. Officials also
could not provide a concrete figure for the current Milolii population - and
no one would estimate the number of teen-agers living there.

County Research and Development Department officials said the population is
not individually recorded as the lowest threshold for census studies is a
population of 317, however they estimate the current Milolii population at
100 - 150 residents.

Kubo referred to the "50 percent" figure during an Oct. 11 speech before the
presidential commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

In that speech, Kubo referred to service agencies reporting 1,000 Big Island
children are under some form of state care because their parents are abusing
crystal methamphetamine, before quoting Inouye.

He said this week he was unsure where the figure was derived and did not
even know which town Inouye was citing.

Family Support Services of West Hawaii Executive Director Don Bebee and
Neighborhood Place of Kona Executive Director Wally Lau said Milolii is an
area of concern for social service agencies, but neither could verify
Inouye's statement.

"I'm not surprised by that quote, but I'm not sure of where the figure came
from," Bebee said.

Police officials acknowledged an "ice" problem in Milolii, but also cited
Pahala, Naalehu, Kealakekekua, Honaunau and Captain Cook as areas of
concern.

"There is a definite problem in that area, that community, but I don't know
where that statistic comes from. Milolii definitely is a place we are
looking at," said Lt. Robert Hickox, of the Kona Vice Section. "We're
addressing it and we're prioritizing as much as possible."

Hickox said officers are working with the area's community policing officer,
Child Protective Services and Neighborhood Watch groups to compile
information to create a plan to combat the "ice" problem.