AIONA BEGINS SESSIONS TO DISCUSS DRUG PROBLEM

KAPOLEI, Oahu (AP) -- As a parent, lifelong Hawaii resident and former state
judge, Lt. Gov. James ''Duke'' Aiona knows drug abuse is devastating
families in every area of the state -- even his own.

About 200 people turned out Tuesday night in Aiona's home turf of Kapolei
for the first of 27 ''Talk Story'' community meetings being held statewide.

At Kapolei Middle School, Aiona heard from residents who feared they were
losing their neighborhoods to drug pushers and who said they are hesitant to
report crime in fear of retaliation or because no action is ever taken.

''We can't live in fear,'' Aiona said. ''Please don't give up.''

Aiona discussed his drug control strategy, including his goals of reducing
illegal narcotics use by 10 percent over the next three years and reducing
drug offender recidivism by 10 percent.

Those are points the lieutenant governor is likely to repeat at the 12 other
''Talk Story'' sessions he will lead. Gov. Linda Lingle is scheduled to head
14 more. (The first session in Maui County will be in Lahaina at the Royal
Lahaina Resort on Aug. 9 from 4 to 5:30 p.m.)

Their purpose is to gather community input for a three-day drug summit in
Waikiki, scheduled for Sept. 15 to 17.

''I plan to do a lot of listening during these talk story sessions, then use
what I learn to help my administration focus on how we can continue to make
life better for the people of Hawaii,'' Lingle said in a statement.

Aiona, who also spoke Tuesday in favor of mandatory drug testing in schools,
said his call for action includes improving drug prevention and treatment
programs by exploring new legislation, funding and community-government
partnerships.

''It's going to take all of us to do something about the problem,'' Aiona
said.

He said programs like the Tuesday forum are important as the state faces a
financial crunch.

''We're all here without spending a dime; I'm here without spending a
dime,'' Aiona said. ''It's not all about the money when it comes to these
issues.''