The strategy involves a two-pronged approach: law enforcement agencies and prosecutors cooperate in "weeding out" criminals who participate in violent crime and drug abuse, attempting to prevent their return to the targeted area; and "seeding" brings human services to the area, encompassing prevention, intervention, treatment, and neighborhood revitalization.A community-orientated policing component bridges weeding and seeding strategies. Officers obtain helpful information from area residents for weeding efforts while they aid residents in obtaining information about community revitalization and seeding resources.

In 2004 federal funding for the Weed & Seed program was discontinued. The WCBA along with other volunteers decided to continue in their efforts despite lack of funds. The effort, under Malama O Wahiawa, have continued through workgroups or committees that were set up during the Weed & Seed strategy meetings. Malama is a Hawaiian word meaning, "to take care of, care for, preserve".

The purpose of Malama O Wahiawa is to coordinate the efforts of individuals, groups and organizations that share a common desire to maintain, improve and promote Wahiawa as a safe and healthy community. The workgroups within Malama are:

> Neighborhood Security Watches: Purpose: To organize residents on streets throughout Wahiawa in Neighborhood Security Watch programs in order to raise awareness of and deter criminal activities. This group works with the Honolulu Police Department to train residents in neighborhood watch procedues.

Faith and school alliance: Purpose: To activate faith-based community organizations and schools to work together to assist in building healthy families to reduce drugs, drop-out rates, abuse, etc.

Legislative Action: Purpose: To keep the Wahiawa community aware of law-making activities and provide legislative advocacy at federal, state and county levels that may have impact on the Wahiawa community.

Community Education: Purpose: To raise awareness of Wahiawa community and its neighbors to the efforts of Malama O Wahiawa as well as educate the community on the issues that are of greatest impact.

Fund Development: Purpose: to research and apply for funds to assist in financing Malama O Wahiawa's efforts.

Malama O Wahiawa

Over the past years, Malama O Wahiawa, through a small core of committed individuals, has focused on the organization of Neighborhood Security Watches (NSW). This program is a nationally and locally proven method for reducing crime. While police statistics indicate that Wahiawa crime is not as serious as some other areas on Oahu, our community goal is to continually reduce the level of crime and improve safety. Any level of crime is unacceptable. Over the last few years, many additional areas have now been organized to fight crime. We currently have active NW programs on the following streets:

• Royal Palm
• Glen Ave
• Turner Street
• Nichols Street
• Wonder View Place
• Nahenahe Place
• Uuku Street
• Clark Place
• Kaluhea
• Kaliponi
• Lauone Loop
• Puuponi Place
• Lanialii
• Palm Street
• Karsten Drive

We have assisted in revitalizing existing NW programs on the following streets

• Dole Street
• Kilea Place
• Eames Street
• California Avenue
• Holua Way
• Hoe Way
• Alahula Way
• Leilehua Road

Other NW programs still active in Wahiawa Include:

• Walker Ave/ Pine Street
• Uluwale/ Kahi kani, Hoopiha Pl./Kaniko Pl.,/Kaniahe St
• Wahiawa Park Tract: Lemi St/Lemiwai St,/Neal Ave/Peach St./Plum St.
• Wilikina Park Apartments
• Mala Street
• Ohai Street/Place

Neighborhood Security Watch Program

The Neighborhood Security Watch program is a national program generally administered by the police department, which helps neighbors look out for one another and communicate details of crimes or attempted crimes in a timely, uniform fashion. Our Long Term Goal

According to the 2000 census, Wahiawa consists of 11,240 households. As more and more residents participate in the Neighborhood Security Watch program, it is realistic to aim for at least 50% participation, or over 5,000 households in active NSW programs. In order to coordinate and maintain this kind of participation, Malama O Wahiawa will need to recruit volunteers to help with meetings, information distribution and support for street organizers.

Malama O Wahiawa meets on the 2nd Monday of each month at the Wahiawa Police Station from 6:00pm - 7pm. For more information please email Jack Kampfer.

http://www.weedandseeddatacenter.org/, A project of the Justice Research and Statistics Association “The Pocket Hawaiian Dictionary”, Pukui, M.K., Elbert, S.H. & Mookini, E., The University Press of Hawaii 1975