WAIANAE, Hawaii (KHON2) — Many residents on the leeward coast are seeing more blue lights patrolling their parks and neighborhoods following multiple shootings in recent days, but those who have experienced gun violence say more still needs to be done.
In an effort to to increase safety for west side communities, city and state officials have ramped up law enforcement presence.
"What we wanted to do more than anything in the show of force initially is to calm people down so they wouldn't feel the situation is out of control," said Mayor Rick Blangiardi. "My attitude is if there's a problem, you run at it, you don't run away from it."
Parent's like Susan Mahiai whose 17-year-old daughter at the time survived a gunshot to the head in June 2023 said its a start toward stopping violent crime in the area.
"We need them to patrol that side of the island," said Mahiai. "It's really out of hand. It's actually horrible. It's horrible what's going on down there."
Those living and working Waianae and those victimized by shootings say they want officials to address gun legislation.
"With guns almost killing my daughter, why wouldn't I not want guns to be banned? Of course I want guns to be banned. It almost killed my daughter." said Mahiai.