The study conducted a descriptive analysis of demographic, arrest, and commitment characteristics of juveniles detained for the first time between 1995 and 1998. In addition to quantitative data collection, informal one-on-one interviews and small focus groups were conducted with 16 key stakeholders in the detention facility. Of the 247 youth detained between 1995 and 1998, 81 percent were male. Hawaiian or part-Hawaiian youth composed 51.3 percent of the juveniles. The remaining juveniles were Filipino (7.9 percent), Samoan or other Pacific Islander (7.5 percent), Caucasian (6.7 percent), Asian (3.8 percent), African-American (1.7 percent), and "mixed" or "other" (21.3 percent). Gang membership was reported by 26.8 percent of the youth, with most ethnic groups being equally likely to be in a gang, except for Samoans of other Pacific Islanders (66.7 percent were gang members). Hawaiians or part-Hawaiians were somewhat less likely to be in a gang. Just over 64 percent of the youth reported a history of assaultive behavior, and 92.4 percent of all youth had used at least one illicit drug. Of the 247 juveniles involved in the study, 193 were arrested at least once in the 2 years following release from their first commitment (rate of 78.1 percent). In addition to being incarcerated in facilities designed for more serious offenders, these short-term youth lacked any continuity of services from commitment through release into the community. Many of these youth could be safely diverted from detention if community-based options were available. 1 table, 5 figures, and 12 references