Town hall in Kapolei warns of fentanyl disguised as food, impacts on the community
By Jeremiah Estrada
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KAPOLEI, Hawaii (KITV) — Dozens of people took part in a town hall in East Kapolei on Tuesday night to raise awareness on fentanyl in the islands and how the drug is making its way here.
State Representative Diamond Garcia held the meeting at the Honouliuli Middle School cafeteria on Tuesday, Feb. 24. Law enforcement and state leaders shared the impact the deadly drug is having on the local population.
According to the Honolulu Police Department (HPD), Maui County had the highest percentage of fentanyl-related deaths with 40% of all drug-related overdoses linked to the drug in 2024.
HPD also shared that the drugs come into the country disguised as food and canned goods.
Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda also attended the town hall because he has seen the impact of fentanyl first hand.
“Here’s how addiction works: you go from ‘I like it’ to ‘I want it’ to ‘I need it,’ Alameda explained. “And when you’re in the stage of ‘I need it,’ you’re stuck. Your brain is hijacked and addiction is real.”
Mayor Alameda said education and spreading awareness is the best way to prevent addiction in the future.
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