The state and counties might receive less federal money to battle criminals in Hawaii

Cutbacks to a federal grant program could leave Hawaii with $1.5 million less in funding this year for fighting drugs and crime.

The cutback means some crime-fighting projects will have to be cut, causing officials to worry that crime and drug production could increase.

Last year, Hawaii and the four counties received $2.4 million in grant funding. This year that amount could drop to $890,000, according to a national estimate.

The federal program, the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant, funds 27 projects in Hawaii, including the Marijuana Eradication Task Force and the Cold Case Squad charged with solving cold murder cases.

State officials say it is too early to tell which projects would be cut because the funds are not expected to be released until this summer.

Hawaii congressional representatives and other members of Congress are fighting to have funding put back into the grant program.

“All of those programs bring value to our efforts,” said Honolulu police Maj. Mark Nakagawa. “Either directly or indirectly, they’re impacting public safety.”

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(Source: Honolulu Star-Bulletin)