1997-2001 Na Koa Crime Watch Program

Posted on Jan 3, 2025 in 1990's, 2000's, HING History

The Na Koa (Warriors) Crime Watch program has experienced much success, since its inception. Since it was introduced in the January 1997 State-of-the-State address, as just one part of your overall crime fighting package submitted to the Legislature, numerous initiatives have been launched. Under the program, volunteer members of the HING enhance the County Police Department’s Neighborhood Security Watch and Community Policing Units in supporting civilian law enforcement efforts in neighborhoods statewide. Over 1,700 Hawaii National Guard volunteers have been trained to date. In the future, training sessions will include Department of Defense personnel and individuals from state agencies outside the DOD. Volunteer personnel are also used for patrolling State and City parks

– 1997 Annual Report pp. 1
GOOD NEIGHBOR POLICY - Sgt. Dino Gonzales is interviewed by a KITV reporter about the Hawaii National Guard's involvement in the Na Koa Crime Watch program. Na Koa Watch volunteers, who enhance existing neighborhood security watches, spent summer weekends patrolling the Diamond Head lookout area, at the request of the Honolulu Police Department's Scenic Enforcement Program. Capt. Charles J. Anthony photo
GETTING THE MESSAGE ACROSS - Maj. Gen. Edward V. Richardson, the adjutant general, is joined by National Guard Bureau Chief Lt. Ge11. Edward D. Baca (left), Honolulu Police Department Chief Michael Nakamura, and 11. Col. Gervin Miyamoto, Hawaii Guard's Counterdrug officer, at the Na Koa Ku Makani stage, Bellows Air Force Station, August 1997. Capt. Charles J. Anthony photo
(Pictures from the 1997 Annual Report)

The Na Koa (Warriors) Crime Watch, first introduced by Gov. Benjamin J. Cayetano in his 1997 State-of-the-State address, is just one part of the governor’s overall crime fighting package submitted to the Legislature. The purpose of the program is to use volunteer members of the HING to enhance the County Police Department’s Neighborhood Security Watch and Community Policing Units in low risk, “eyes and ears” efforts in neighborhoods statewide. Counterdrug personnel work with the Honolulu Police Department in giving classes on the effects of drinking and driving, through the Live and Let Live program.

– 1997 Annual Report pp. 32

Na Koa Crime Watch program begins

Guard leads Na Koa Watch

Story and photo by Capt. Charles J. Anthony

Honolulu Police Department officer Andrew Bonifacio instructs Maj. Gen. Edward V. Richardson, his staff and Na Koa Crime Watch volunteers on residential security measures during watch training, March 1. Bonifacio is a staff sergeant with the 1st Battalion, 487th Field Artillery
Honolulu Police Department officer Andrew Bonifacio instructs Maj. Gen. Edward V. Richardson, his staff and Na Koa Crime Watch volunteers on residential security measures during watch training, March 1. Bonifacio is a staff sergeant with the 1st Battalion, 487th Field Artillery
SHINING OUT OF THE DARKNESS-Sgt. James Gombio, and 1st Lt. Jeffery Kawakami use portable lighting and communications as they take part in the initial Na Koa Crime Watch with citizens and Guardmembers around Kapiolani Park.
SHINING OUT OF THE DARKNESS-Sgt. James Gombio, and 1st Lt. Jeffery Kawakami use portable lighting and communications as they take part in the initial Na Koa Crime Watch with citizens and Guardmembers around Kapiolani Park.
(Pictures from the 1997 January – March Pūpūkahi)

Hawaii National Guard (HING) volunteers are taking a proactive approach to keeping our neighborhoods
safe.

The NaKoa Crime Watch is a community involvement program aimed at empowering citizens to get tough on crime before it happens in their neighborhoods.

The Na Koa (Hawaiian for “warriors”) program utilizes trained Hawaii Guard volunteers who will help organize new, or reinforce existing, Neighborhood Security Watches; help train residents in crime reporting and prevention measures and lend its support for community service

The purpose of Na Koa Watch is not to have the National Guard in fringe on normal police functions,” said Maj. Gen. Edward V. Richardson, the adjutant general. “Rather, we are a force multiplier for civil authorities, by acting as additional eyes and ears in our communities.”

Guardmembers will, in turn, conduct training for its personnel and community members to help enhance security watch awareness and other crime prevention programs.

Spearheaded by the HING Counterdrug Program, Guard members volunteer to coordinate with existing crime prevention programs and help train Guard members and their families on established neighborhood security watch and community policing initiatives.

In his Jan. 20 State of the State Address, Gov. Benjamin J. Cayetano announced the Na Koa Watch program which is intended to assist federal, state and county law enforcement agencies protect Hawaii’s citizens and their property.

Na Koa Watch is one part of the governor’s overall crime fighting package introduced at the Legislature.

It didn’t take the HING long to get the program off the ground. At the invitation of City Council member Duke Bainum, several dozen Guard volunteers helped the Waikiki Neighborhood Watch pro gram patrol Kapiolani Park the night of Jan. 28. The first full-scale training session with Na Koa Watch volunteers was held March 1 at the Hawaii Army National Guard armory in Whaiawa.

“The Hawaii National Guard’s role in our nation’s war against crime and drugs is not new. We have been involved in Operation GREEN HARVEST and other marijuana eradication efforts since. We also are involved with various aspects of the Counterdrug and Drug Demand Reduction programs with other federal, state and county agencies,” Richardson said.

“The Guard assists the U.S. Customs Service with its drug interdiction and contraband efforts and our personnel hold Parent to Parent training sessions to help Hawaii’s families identify and prevent drug use and/or gang activity among their children.”

Na Koa. Watch has become an integral part of the Hawaii National Guard’s Counter Drug program, which has been fully supported and approved by the National Guard Bureau.

To volunteer for the Na Koa Crime Watch program, please contact the Hawaii National Guard Counterdrug Office at 737-9450 or 733-4262.

– 1997 January – March Pūpūkahi pp. 1 & 3

Commmand Notes

I want to take this opportunity to say a few words about the Hawaii National Guard’s Na Koa Crime Watch program. Details about the program are in the article that begins on the front page of this issue, but I want to add my personal appeal for the soldiers and airmen of the Hawaii National Guard to join. All of us should be concerned about crime in our comm unities.

Drug use, especially crystal meth, is largely responsible for the increase in burglaries and car thefts, in recent years. Many drug users turn to crime in order to support their habit. The purpose of Na Koa Watch is to be a “force multiplier” for civilian law enforcement officials. The more Guard members, families and retirees who join Na Koa Watch and watch out for each other, the bigger the impact we will have on crime reduction in our State. The department’s Counterdrug program has done an excellent job coordinating the program and plans call for eventually expanding Na Koa Watch to the neighbor islands.

– 1997 January – March Pūpūkahi pp. 2

Hawaii Air National Guard

In ’97 the opportunities to help our local communities will continue. Most recent is the call for volunteers to be a part of Na Koa Crime Watch, a program whose goal is to augment neighborhood efforts to make their communities safer from crime and drugs.

– 1997 January – March Pūpūkahi pp. 5
Sgt. Dino Gonzales, from the Hawaii National Guard's Counterdrug Program is interviewed by KITV reporter Jill Kuramoto (with videographer Sonny Ahuna) about the Guard's involvement in the Na Koa Crime Watch program. Na Koa Watch volunteers, who enhance existing neighborhood security watches, spent summer weekends patrolling the Diamond Head lookout area, at the request of the Honolulu Police Department's Scenic Enforcement Program. The program was developed in response to the growing crime trend at Oahu's scenic points. The HPD had been receiving several reports of car break-ins in the Diamond Head Park area. During the Na Koa Watch patrols, no car break-ins were reported. Capt. Charles J. Anthony
Sgt. Dino Gonzales, from the Hawaii National Guard’s Counterdrug Program is interviewed by KITV reporter Jill Kuramoto (with videographer Sonny Ahuna) about the Guard’s involvement in the Na Koa Crime Watch program. Na Koa Watch volunteers, who enhance existing neighborhood security watches, spent summer weekends patrolling the Diamond Head lookout area, at the request of the Honolulu Police Department’s Scenic Enforcement Program. The program was developed in response to the growing crime trend at Oahu’s scenic points. The HPD had been receiving several reports of car break-ins in the Diamond Head Park area. During the Na Koa Watch patrols, no car break-ins were reported. Capt. Charles J. Anthony
(Picture from the 1997 Fall Pūpūkahi)

The Na Koa Crime Watch has grown to over 400 members strong and is on all districts of Oahu. We have just started adding new members on the Big Island and are looking to take this program to the other islands next fiscal year. Incepted in 1997 by Gov. Benjamin J. Cayetano, the program works with the county police department’s neighborhood security watch and community policing units.

– 1998 Annual Report pp. 33