Hickam the focus of project to cut underage drinking

Hickam Air Force Base will be the site of a three-year, $950,000 Department of Justice program to reduce underage drinking in the Air Force.

Airmen under the age of 21 make up only 4.2 percent of Hickam's population, but accounted for 25 percent of alcohol-related incidents there last year, the Pentagon reported.

Lt. Gov. Duke Aiona said the grant would address issues behind underage drinking at multiple levels. "At the individual level, the project will educate airmen about the dangers of underage drinking, not only regarding personal health and public safety, but in terms of their military careers as well," Aiona said in a news release.

"At the base level, ways will be explored to increase support and alternative activity programs at Hickam for underage airmen. At the community level, the project will focus on enforcing drinking laws at retail establishments and bars frequented by military personnel, such as those in Waikiki."

The state Health Department's alcohol and drug division will administer the federal grant. Also participating will be the Hawaii Partnership to Prevent Underage Drinking, whose members include the Honolulu Police Department, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Honolulu Liquor Commission, Coalition for a Drug-Free Hawaii, University of Hawaii, Aiona's office and the Hawaii National Guard Counter Drug Unit.

Moving up

Pearl Harbor

» Cmdr. Mike Tesar has assumed command of the nuclear attack submarine USS Cheyenne, relieving Cmdr. Rick Testyon.

» Cmdr. Douglas Perry has assumed command of the nuclear attack submarine USS Pasadena, relieving Cmdr. John Heatherington.

Kaneohe Bay

» Lt. Col. Nathan Nastase has assumed command of the 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, relieving Lt. Col. Norman Cooling.

"In the Military" was compiled from wire reports and other sources by reporter Gregg K. Kakesako, who covers military affairs for the Star-Bulletin. He can be reached by phone at 294-4075 or by e-mail at gkakesako@starbulletin.com.