This letter to the editor was published September 30, 1998, by the Honolulu Star-Bulletin in response to a story titled Weed and Seed Program Aims at Drug Dealers.

Weed and Seed Has Already Planted Positive Change

While we appreciate your August 26, 1998, article on Hawaii 's new Weed and Seed program, some might conclude that nothing can make a positive difference in the high-crime communities of Kalihi-Palama and Chinatown.

That is not true.

Weed and Seed, an innovative program of the U.S. Justice Department and the U.S. Attorney to stop crime and rebuild communities, is already making a difference.

While other approaches have failed due to weak enforcement efforts, Weed and Seed brings tougher federal trial and sentencing laws designed to get and keep criminals off the streets.

Similarly, while other efforts have lacked follow-through, Weed and Seed understands that "seeding" the community with meaningful social and economic revitalization programs is just as important as "weeding" out crime.

Recently more than 850 Aloha United Way volunteers kicked off Hawaii's first Weed and Seed program by dedicating "A Day of Caring" to clean up and beautify Kalihi-Palama and Chinatown.

Maile Kanemaru
Weed and Seed Coordinator