Organizers of a system that would quickly track abducted children and their kidnappers on Oahu were encouraged by President Bush's pledge to help develop similar systems across the country. Hawaii pushes
missing-child alertsBy Nelson Daranciang
ndaranciang@starbulletin.com"That's great news," said Honolulu police Detective Phil Camaro, who is coordinating the effort to establish the Maile Alert system.
On the mainland the systems are called Amber Alert.
They employ radio and television bulletins and electronic roadside billboards to help law enforcement find kidnapped children and their abductors. Amber Alert is named for 9-year-old Amber Hagerman, who was abducted and killed in 1996 in Arlington, Texas.
The Oahu system is named after Maile Gilbert, a 6-year-old Kailua girl who was abducted from a family party and murdered in 1985.
Honolulu police hope the similar system in place on Oahu by the end of this year or early next year, said Maj. Darryl Perry of the Criminal Investigation Division.
Bush pledged $10 million yesterday for training and education programs and to facilitate the use of overhead electronic highway message boards and other systems.
Camaro, with the HPD Missing Persons Detail, is working with Oahu and state Civil Defense and the Missing Child Center Hawaii.
"I think it's awesome," said Renette Cooper, Missing Child Center Hawaii assistant coordinator.
"It's just been a long time coming, and people are realizing that our children are as important as taking care of criminals, but taking care of our children comes first."
Perry said the Maile Alert would rely primarily on radio and television broadcasts.
But Camaro said he is not ruling out use of electronic road signs.
The state Department of Transportation has not received a plan from police but has asked the federal Highways Division for its policy on the use of electronic road signs, said Jadine Urasaki, state deputy transportation director.
Honolulu Police Department