Keeping North Kohala the tight-knit community it is and roadway safety headlined a police-community meeting Tuesday in Kapaau.
Lucy Pasco, a long-time Hawi resident now in her 70s, told police she is concerned youth in the district have changed since she was a child. She specifically noted a lack of communication between youngsters and police and whether changing the status quo could have a positive long-term impact for the district and its current 6,322 residents.
“Police officers, back in the day, knew what was going on, but, nowadays it seems like the kids are smarter than your policemen,” Pasco said. “They know where to sneak around and go to get away. It shouldn’t be that way, they are there to protect us.”
To remedy the situation, Pasco suggested police meet face-to-face with youth in the district — much the same way officers meet with members of the community during monthly police-community meetings. Police appeared interested in the idea, asking to speak further with Pasco.
“We got to do something for them,” Pasco said. “We need to get our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to connect with you and talk with you folks.”
Residents also expressed concern about drugs, specifically noted was crystal methamphetamine, or “ice,” and what the community can do to prevent the drug from getting out of control as it did earlier this decade in North Kohala.
North Kohala District Capt. Jason Cortez acknowledged a “bump” in drug use but added police are aware of the issue and are addressing it. He noted that with the community’s help it can be deterred, again.
“It’s a maintenance thing. When it comes in, we will work together to get it out,” Cortez said. “As a general consensus, (North) Kohala is the best as far as crime rate goes on the island. I’ve never seen a place like this … It’s a shock to me and we’ve got to keep it (this way).”
About three dozen residents attended the two-hour meeting held at Kapaau’s Kohala Intergenerational Center. The meeting gave residents an opportunity to not only meet the district’s command staff, but also to express concerns, and gratitude, to officers. Police Chief Harry Kubojiri, who usually attends the meetings, was unable to attend because of an “emergency” in Hilo.
Other concerns raised at the meeting included confusion over new driver license requirements, concerns about police no longer giving motorists warnings, construction zone rules and citation quotas. Residents also asked police for more information on domestic violence, stray dogs and how they can best avoid an accident.
Construction zones have become an issue for North Kohala resident Wendy Lafer, who explained to police that motorists, including police officers, often pass her while she obeys the speed limit in various construction zones. She also questioned why construction zones are designated when no one is working for long periods and when motorists must follow posted construction zone speed limits.
“What do we do?” she asked. “To me, it puts workers at risk because drivers assume there’s no construction … either they should be constructing or have them covered because people will just ignore them.”
Officers explained that, yes, motorists do need to go the posted speed limit 24 hours a day — even if no crews are working.
“Go the speed limit whether you see work or not,” said West Hawaii Assistant Police Chief Paul Kealoha. “There may be something bad on the road, such as loose gravel, and there may be a reason for you to go slow and reduce your speed for safety.”
Residents unable to attend the meeting can call Cortez at 889-6540 or stop by the North Kohala Police Station in Kapaau. An email with concerns and comments can also be sent to copsysop@hawaiipolice.com.
