Operation “Weed and Seed” is a multi-agency strategy sponsored by the United States Department of Justice that “weeds out” violent crime, gang activity, and drug trafficking in high crime neighborhoods. 

Locally, this program is sponsored by the U. S. Attorney’s Office and administered by the YMCA of Honolulu to “weed” crime out of designated communities through law enforcement collaboration and resident community policing groups, then to “seed” these communities with revitalization efforts. Honolulu has three Weed and Seed sites.

Designated distressed communities are rebuilt using four strategies:

• Law enforcement;
• Community policing;
• Neighborhood restoration (physical beautification and economic development initiatives); and
• Prevention, intervention and treatment.

Maile Kanemaru
Weed & Seed Executive Director  mkanemaru@ymcahonolulu.org