Big Isle site gains federal
Weed and Seed designation

Pahoa is the first such recognized
area on a neighbor island

WAIKOLOA, Hawaii » U.S. Attorney Ed Kubo has designated Pahoa, south of Hilo, as the first federal Weed and Seed area on a neighbor island.

The program, which "weeds out" lawbreakers and "seeds" community improvements, including treatment programs, was announced during Hawaii County's third annual Methamphetamine Summit yesterday.

At the same conference, U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye announced another $2 million to fight drug use on the island. The amount was on top of $4 million Inouye had obtained in prior years. The funding will be used for a variety of enforcement, treatment and educational programs.

Inouye said he also obtained an unspecified amount of money for the county's bus system. The buses are needed to get youth to recreation programs.

"We've got to take the kids away from these bad activities and put them in the presence of good activities," Inouye said.

Several communities on Oahu have been designated as Weed and Seed areas. At Mayor Wright Housing, the crime rate dropped by 87 percent, and Chinatown saw a 77 percent drop after receiving the designation, Inouye said.

Mayor Harry Kim predicted the Weed and Seed designation will have a tremendous effect on crime in Pahoa within the next 12 months.

Although no money linked to the program was announced yesterday, the designation could bring a $175,000 federal grant. The designation was made June 1, but the announcement was delayed so it could be presented at the summit.

Even without additional money, the designation allows federal officials to focus more attention on the area, Kubo said. One Drug Enforcement Administration agent is now assigned to the Big Island, a second is planned and Kubo will seek two more for a total of four, he said.

Anyone convicted of a federal drug crime in the designated Pahoa area will automatically receive twice the standard penalty for the crime, Kubo said.

County Councilman Gary Safarik, who worked with the community to obtain the designation, said $60,000 has already been obtained for a Weed and Seed coordinator.

Kubo suggested additional sites could be designated in the future.

"I'm not satisfied with Pahoa being the only Weed and Seed site," he said. "Other communities on this island are equally challenged."