Windward Teens Target Alcohol

Alcohol Awareness Month (April) is going out with a bang, as far as Windward teenagers are concerned.

Students from Kalaheo, Kailua and Castle high schools and Le Jardin Academy will gather in various ways today (April 25) and Thursday to bring the “Be A Jerk” message directly to stores selling liquor and to the community at large.

In the national award-winning campaign to combat underage drinking, “Be a Jerk” volunteers from Kalaheo High will go to the Kaneohe Marine base today to apply warning stickers to alcohol containers at the base mini mart. The stickers will say: “Do not provide alcohol to children under 21.” They also will gather signatures of support on base from 3 to 5 p.m.

According to Wiwik Benjamin-Mau, community organizer for the city Community Services Department, individuals and groups throughout Oahu are involved. “They are working together as part of the grassroots campaign Be A Jerk,” she said, “calling for members of the community to stand up and say, ‘If it takes a jerk to keep alcohol away from kids, then I’m proud to be one.'”

Castle High students plan a similar sticker shock action at Times Supermarket in Kaneohe. And on Thursday, Le Jardin students will take up signs with their Kailua High colleagues from 2:30 to 5 p.m. at Pohakupu park to alert motorists to the anti-drinking message.

Also supporting the activities are area lawmakers, Windward Neighborhood Security Watch, HPD, Kailua Neighborhood Board, Kaneohe Community Family Center (PACT), Kailua Chamber of Commerce, Kaneohe Ranch, Harold K.L. Castle Foundation, Castle Medical Center and even Mayor Peter Carlisle – who can be viewed on YouTube proclaiming to “be a jerk.”

For more information, call 348-6152.