The Honolulu Advertiser from Honolulu, Hawaii • 36

B6 Monday, August 16, 2004 The Honolulu Advertiser 21 pounds of ice seized in Hilo sumed in Hawai'i are imported. Crystal methamphetamine and other drugs get into the state a variety of ways. Drugs are packed into suitcases, coolers, packages and other forms of checked luggage. They are strapped to the bodies of couriers who board planes bound for the Islands. Varying quantities of the drug are sent through the mail and through private shippers.

Law-enforcement authorities say Hawai'i consumes more crystal methamphetamine per-capita than ariy other state. Drugs are often shipped to the Big Island or Kaua'i in large quantities, before being broken down into smaller increments and brought to Honolulu, police say. Last October an investigation broke up five ice rings in Hawai'i and led to the arrest of nearly 50 people. One group hollowed out a hydraulic lift, stuffed it with drugs or money, and shipped it back and forth between Hawai'i and their Mainland supplier, according to the U.S. attorney's in a Hilo police cellblock in lieu of $100,000 bail.

Officers were holding another man, Cliefas Armenta of Ho-nomu, pending further investigation. Officers from the East Hawai'i Ice Task Force and Vice Section, agents from the U.S. Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. DEA, state Department of Conservation and Resources Enforcement, state Narcotics Enforcement Department and the Hawai'i Army National Guard's counterdrug program worked together on the case. Capt.

Samuel Thomas, head of the East Hawai'i Criminal Investigation Division, said ice is usually sold in one-tenth of a gram increments. The drugs seized in this case amounts to 9,493.85 grams, he said. "This arrest and drug seizure should notify drug dealers that the Hawai'i County Police Department will not tolerate the trafficking of illegal drugs on the Big Island," Thomas said. Acting on a tip received from the Bureau of Immigration and Street value of drugs in record-setting bust: $1.4 million BY PETER BOYLAN Advertiser Staff Writer Big Island police, working with state and federal agents, have seized more than 20 pounds of crystal methamphet-amine in what police called the biggest ice bust in the history of the Hawai'i County Police Department. The 20.93 pounds of ice seized July 28 has a street value of $1.4 million, police said.

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, a pound of crystal meth retails in the western United States for $7,000 to $8,000. The same pound can be sold in Hawai'i for $22,000 to $42,000. Police arrested 26-year-old Jose Alberto Prado, a California resident, and charged him Saturday with first-degree promotion of dangerous drugs and illegal possession of drug paraphernalia. Prado is being held DeLima CONTINUED FROM B1 to have fun, they did." "I deliver my message through humor because that's what gets through to (kids)," DeLima said. "I tell the children, 'Comedians hold up a mirror and if you can laugh at yourself, then you have a good While DeLima is known for his ethnic humor, he does not use it in school programs as he feels it's inappropriate for children.

The comedian says he started his Student Enrichment Program partly on a whim. While on a Maui promotional tour, DeLima found himself with free time between morning publicity work and evening performances. "I was sitting around doing nothing during the daytime," he chuckled. One day he was visiting a friend who was a banquet manager at the Maui Beach Hotel. "I was sitting at his desk and I said, 'Is there a school around here I could talk he said.

De-Lima felt that his background as a former seminarian and his master's degree might let him combine comedy with education. He called up the principal of Kahului Elementary and 10 minutes later was at the school. "By the time we arrived the kids were out on the lawn and the PA system was up," he said. "I didn't know what I was going to do anything." The talk was a success, and soon other Maui principals were asking DeLima to speak at their schools. He now makes a circuit of 350 public and private schools throughout the state every two years.

It's become almost a full-time job with two presentations a day, three times a week, nine months a year, besides his twice weekly nightclub shows at the Palace Showroom in Waiklki. JEFF WIDENER The Honolulu Advertiser With children, DeLima sidesteps the ethnic humor he is known for. DeLima said that when he could no longer cover the Student Enrichment Program expenses on his own, private contributions and government grants helped pay for the approximately $100,000 cost involved, which included airfare, car rental and hotel costs, as well as a salary for himself. He tailors his talks to his audience. One program is for kindergarten through third-graders, the other for fourth- through eighth-graders.

He also puts together an annual Student Transitions Convention for intermediate school students to help them with the move from child to adolescent and into high school. "Basically I don't know if the kids get it or not. I'm just consistent and persistent," he said. Though that repetition can sometimes backfire. "Kids remember.

It's amazing. They'll say, You told that joke last So I have to be careful." DeLima stresses to parents the importance of being involved. Reading to kids, volunteering at their schools, and helping through the PTA are things all parent's should do, he said. "I want to make sure all the parents know what I'm talking about and for them to reinforce it." Reach Anna Weaver at aweaverhonoluluadvertiser or 535-2455. Customs Enforcement, officers seized a 1995 Ford van at Hilo Harbor.

The van had been shipped to the island. The offi Prado cers obtained a search warrant, and on July 28, discovered a compartment under the floor of the right front passenger's seat. In the compartment, they recovered more than 20 pounds of crystal methamphetamine. According to the police: After finding the drugs, the officers set up surveillance. On Aug.

12, Prado picked up the van. Officers maintained surveillance on the van and Prado. Prado apparently became suspicious and parked the van in the parking lot of a Hilo mall and left it. At 5:20 p.m. Friday, officers arrested Prado on Banyan Drive in Hilo.

Last year U.S. Attorney Ed Kubo said that 95 percent to 98 percent of the drugs con back on the airwaves in Honolulu and share stories about songs and people. You know, not just be a voice in the box." The traditional Hawaiian format harkens back to a previous KHUI format, when it was called "The Breeze" before transforming into "Bob Radio" in January. The Hawaiian format includes such artists as Olomana, Keali'i Reichel, Na Leo Pilimehana, Ke-ola Beamer, the Makaha Sons and Teresa Bright. Salem operates four other stations in Honolulu: KGU 750 AM, with a Christian teaching and talk format; KHNR AM 650, which will simulcast the conservative talk shows from KHNR FM; KHCM 940 AM, which programs country music; and KAIM 95.5 The Fish, which specializes in Christian contemporary 7 Majievsky said that with the two new stations off and running, Salem will eventually relocate to new studios at 1160 N.

King across from the post office in Kalihi. Visionary is retaining the KPOI call letters, but has yet to announce if or where a KPOI station will resurface on the radio dial. Reach Wayne Harada at 525-8067, fax 525-8055 or wharada honolululadvertiser.com. YOUR DONATED VEHICLE HELPS PEOPLE 2 IN NEED Cars must be in running condition T.J. Malievsky, vice president and general manager of Salem Media of Hawai'i.

The deejay is well-known for her knowledge of Hawaiian music of several decades, dating back to the original KCCN radio format she nurtured for 22 years. She will be the morning drive and mid-morning personality on KHUI 99.5 FM, as the station revives the traditional Hawaiian music format beginning at 6 a.m. today. For the launch, Skylark may be doing part of the show from Salem's Gentry Pacific studios on Nimitz Highway. "They couldn't afford me to move back to Honolulu; you know, to find me a place," said Skylark.

"So I'll mostly be in Hilo. But I'm so excited to be part of this wonderful new opportunity. I welcome the opportunity to be Radio CONTINUED FROM B1 morning in a restoration of traditional Hawaiian music programming. Skylark, also known as Jacqueline Rossetti, has been one of Hawai'i radio's influential personalities. Ontai also will do a stint on KHUI, with Kahikini de Silva hosting a nighttime shift.

KHUI's return to Hawaiian music will make use of technology to combine content from two locations. Skylark, a Hilo resident, will primarily host her show from a closet-turned-studio in her funky Hilo home. "Technology allows her to broadcast from Hilo, though we're based in Honolulu," said Drapery Vertical Shop Most goods Uopally within 7-10 i worU'ma davs 918 1 Verticals, Miniblinds, Pleated Shades, SPECIALS: Swags, Shades, Valances, Fabrics etc Professional Installation Free Estimates Visa MC Puuhale Road 842-7944 All The News That's Fit to Print and the Perfect Press on Which to Print It. Quality Service Commitment The Honolulu Advertiser's Got It All! Congratulations on your new state-of-the-art press, setting the standard in quality production, and mahalo for making our lives more colorful. Alston Hunt Floyd Ing congratulates The Honolulu Advertiser on completion of its state-of-the-art facility in Kapolei.

We appreciate your commitment and continued service to the people of Hawai'i. From another true believer in state-of-the-art performance and high standards of quality. BECKER 808-533-4165 119 Merchant St. Suite 500 Honolulu HI 96813 ww.beckercommunications.com Alston Hunt Floyd Attorneys at Law A Law Corporation 1001 Bishop Street 18th Floor ASB Tower Honolulu, Hawai'i 96813 65-1230 Mamalahoa Hwy Suite C-21 Kamuela, Hawai'i 96743 Honolulu: (808) 524-1800 Hawai'i Island: (808) 885-6762 www.ahfi.com William S. Hunt 4 tfflWBfi'.