ABOUT WEED AND SEED HAWAIʻI:
Weed & Seed Hawaii (W&S) has its roots in a program that was initially established by the U.S. Department of Justice in 1991. The National Weed and Seed Program was developed to demonstrate an innovative and comprehensive approach to law enforcement and community revitalization, and to prevent and control violent crime, drug abuse, gang activity, and homelessness in target areas. The program attempts to “weed out” criminal elements such as violent crime, gang activity, truancy, and drug use and trafficking in target areas, and then “seed” programs to restore the neighborhoods through social and economic revitalization. In Hawaii, three areas are designated as W&S communities: Kalihi-Palama-Chinatown; Waipahu; and Ewa/Ewa Beach.
In Hawaii, W&S is now a program sponsored by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and although federal funding for the National Weed and Seed Program is no longer existent, Weed & Seed Hawaii continues to thrive thanks to the support of the State and City, as well as through corporate, individual and foundation donations and grants. Weed and Seed Hawaii became a 501c3 non-profit organization in 2018.
W&S continues to focus on reducing and preventing violent crime, drug trafficking and gang activity in the target communities through a comprehensive, multiagency strategy. The strategy integrates law enforcement, community policing, prevention, intervention, treatment, and neighborhood restoration efforts to make the communities better, safer places in which to live.