Six years ago, the Kahaluu community rallied with a sobering campaign. Zero tolerance on drugs - especially Crystal Meth or "Ice".
Flash forward to 2009 and the problem is back and worse than before. The Honolulu Police Department receives call after call of drug deals near the Hygienic store and in the brush surrounding the Kahaluu district park.
"Yep, the Banyan tree, it's daily, it's nightly, it's obvious. It's just not ok," said Pua Ford, Windward resident.
"When I seen what was going on 15-20 cars and guys up to know good...," Art Machado of the Kahaluu Neighborhood Board said enough was enough. And rallied again*to bring the community together to put an end to "Ice" for good.
"We just probably let it go too long," said Machado.
Too long...but not for long. Wednesday night dozens of Windward residents met to begin forming a neighborhood security watch. Joined by HPD. Because police say they can't fight this problem alone.
"For us we're just a few, but the community we have a lot and we need to have eyes and ears throughout community," said Duane Samson, HPD Sergent for community policing.
Police officers plan to put patrols around known "Ice" areas and have plain clothes units out monitoring as well. And unlike six years ago, the community says this time their efforts will stick.
"This is something really good and I think it will work again, I really do," said Darling Kukahiko, Kahaluu resident.
Community members are planning to get right to work. A week from Wednesday (Nov. 11th), they'll begin clearing brush near Kahaluu park - a known area for drug activity.
