37 arrested in
‘Weed & Seed’ sting

By Rod Ohira
Star-Bulletin

A young mother has temporarily lost custody of her 2-year-old child, seven others may have to forfeit vehicles valued at $87,000, and six men are facing 20-year federal prison terms without parole.

They were among 37 people arrested Thursday and Friday in a reverse-sting drug operation at Aala Park within Honolulu's designated "Weed & Seed" area.

"There will be swift, sure consequences for criminal behavior," said Steven Alm, U.S. attorney for Hawaii, referring to the latest area sweep.

Six of nine sellers arrested will be prosecuted federally. They are Ieremia Sheck, 18; Esteta Samuseva, 36; Iupeli Migi, 46; Mulinuu Tupua, 41; Kawika Ahquin, 18; and Faavae Safele, 33.

All are now prohibited from entering the Weed & Seed district while awaiting trial.

Three other sellers, including a juvenile, and 28 buyers have been charged with state offenses.

Twenty-three of the buyers were arraigned yesterday at District Court before special Weed & Seed Judge Fa'auuga To'oto'o, who confirmed high bail and placed geographical restrictions on all of them.

Since August 1998, a coordinated county, state and federal enforcement or "weeding" effort has impacted crime in the area and paved the way for "seeding" programs by 20 social agencies.

Crime is down 45 percent at Mayor Wright Homes, noted Alm.

"The big thing is now there's a consequence for sellers and buyers," police Assistant Chief Stephen Watarai said. "In the past, we'd arrest sellers and when they left the area, other guys would take their places.

"The buyers would pay a fine and be on their way. Not any more."

Deputy Prosecutor Cecelia Chang, Weed & Seed coordinator for the Honolulu prosecutor's office, says the court has been confirming high bail -- now up to $2,000 for some misdemeanors -- and imposing geographical bans regularly as conditions for pretrial release.

"It makes them accountable for their actions," Chang said of the restrictions. "Even if they plead no contest and get probation or a deferred agreement of guilty plea, there's still a geographical restriction.

"I think it's sending out a clear message -- do not misbehave in this area," Chang said.

Since May 1, when District Court dedicated a courtroom and judge to deal specifically with offenses within the Weed & Seed area, Chang says prosecutors have been averaging about five cases a day.

Police, meanwhile, have stepped up "weed" efforts, expanding operations from Mayor Wright Homes toward Aala Park and Chinatown.

Last month, police targeted Chinatown prostitution with three sting operations. Eighteen "johns" and seven female prostitutes have been arrested since May 3, said Watarai.

"We'll continue to focus on Mayor Wright and keep it up until it's clean," Watarai said.

"We're also doing day-to-day stuff elsewhere and picking our spots (for sting operations)."

Prosecutors are also targeting petty misdemeanor offenses -- criminal littering, theft, drinking in public, harassment and disorderly conduct -- as part of the program to improve the quality of life in the area.

"All except a few have either pled no contest or been convicted," Chang said.

City Prosecutor Peter Carlisle says Weed & Seed has had a "halo effect" on the area.

Alm also announced yesterday that state Drug Court has received $300,000 in federal grant money to expand its program by 125 clients.

Weed & Seed arrests, who have no prior drug convictions, would be eligible for Drug Court, Chang said.