NCJ Number
136766
Date Published
1992
Length
157 pages
Annotation
Information from official police records was analyzed to determine the nature and extent of gang activity in Hawaii, the characteristics of gang members variations by geographic area, trends in juvenile arrests, and the State's efforts to prevent juvenile gang activity.
Abstract
The research used data on samples of suspected gang members in each of the four counties. Results revealed that most gang members in the city and county of Honolulu, Maui County, and Kauai County are legally adults, whereas those in the county of Hawaii are younger and most often are 16-17 years old. In addition, juvenile arrests in Hawaii increased by 62 percent in the last decade, in contrast to a 5.2-percent increase nationally. Nearly all the increase in Hawaii resulted from arrests for juvenile status offenses; juvenile arrests for Part One violent crimes and Part One property crimes declined by 3 percent and 9 percent during the last decade. Furthermore, analysis of schools with the highest rates of suspensions, dismissals, truancy, and vandalism suggested the need for continued efforts to increase juvenile delinquency prevention activities for youth at risk in communities that are poor, growing, or both. The trends also indicate the need for improved economic opportunities for young adults of Filipino, part-Hawaiian, and Samoan backgrounds. Figures, tables, footnotes, appended list of offense severity ratings, and 49 references