I’m not really sure how the police work on the rest of the islands since my experience with them is strictly as a tourist. Since I’ve been living on Maui though, I can say that Maui’s police seem to be less than enthusiastic about erradicating the Ice epidemic. A few nights ago right outside of our apartment complex, some people were parked smoking Ice and they were approached by some police officers. Apparently, after taking their paraphenalia and drugs, they let them go. I’ve heard this same story from others I’ve met and talked to about the lazy attitude of the police here on Maui. I’m not sure if all the police on Maui have such a lazy attitude when it comes to methamphetamine, but apparently on the southside police have more important concerns that stopping what is now an out-of-control problem that affects people from all walks of life in Hawaii.
The beach that I play volleyball on three times a week has a whole gaggle of bums who sell Ice to people who walk up or drive up and buy from them in broad daylight. I have yet to see a police officer even bat an eyelash.
Over the next few weeks, I’m going to photograph these guys selling. Fuckers.