Maui Drinking Prevention Program Suggests “Be A Jerk”

Be a Jerk, Sticker Shock event hosted by MEO Youth Services at Minit Stop, Puakalani, File photo, April 11, 2012 by Yuki Lei Sugimura.

By Maui Now Staff

The annual BE A JERK, statewide campaign to stop underage drinking kicks off today with a proclamation to be signed by Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa this afternoon, proclaiming April as Alcohol Awareness month in Maui County.

As part of the campaign, parents and other adults are encouraged to “Be A Jerk” when it comes to letting teens drink alcohol.

As part of this year’s campaign, community partners have scheduled a series of events through the end of May that includes town hall meetings, teen expo events, family night dinners, youth dances, car washes, prevention education, and more.

The County of Maui is helping to organize events and released the following schedule of events planned in Maui County through the end of May.

The Hawaii All-Stars cheerleading team participated in a “Be A Jerk” sticker shock and sign waiving campaign at the Wailuku Main Street Minit Stop. File photo, April 2012 by Traci Villarosa.

2014 Schedule of Events:

• April 1: Mayor Alan Arakawa will sign an Alcohol Awareness Proclamation during a 3 p.m. ceremony at the Mayor’s Conference Room located on the 9th floor of the Kalana O Maui building in Wailuku;
• April 5: I love me, Alcohol and Drug Free prevention and education event from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Kīhei Youth Center;
• April 6: Maui Economic Opportunity will set up a booth at the Maui 5K for Kids taking place at 7 a.m. at the Māʻalaea Triangle;
• April 10: Ke Hale A Ke Ola town hall meeting at 6:30 p.m. in Wailuku;
• April 11: Maui Youth & Family Services hosts a sign waving event at 3 p.m. at the Queen Ka’ahumanu Center;
• April 12: Booth at Keiki Fest at 11 a.m.;
• April 12: Maui Economic Opportunity: Haʻikū Hoʻolauleʻa at 9 a.m.;
• April 15: Boys and Girls Clubs of Maui, Central chapter’s Family Night Dinner at 6 p.m.;
• April 15, 29; and May 13, 27: I love me, Alcohol and Drug Free prevention and education event from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Kīhei Youth Center;
• April 16: Be a Jerk sign waving at 3:30 p.m. with the Kīhei Youth Center; Maui Economic Opportunity; Maui Youth and Family Services; and the following Boys and Girls Clubs of Maui chapters: Central, Haʻikū, Kahekili, Lahaina, Makawao, and Paukukalo.
• April 16: Boys and Girls Clubs of Maui, Kahekili Clubhouse’s Family Night Dinner at 6 p.m.;
• April 17: Ke Hale A Ke Ola, sign waving event at 4 p.m. in Wailuku;
• April 17: Boys and Girls Clubs of Maui, Paukukalo Clubhouse’s Family Night Dinner at 6 p.m.;
• April 17: Maui Youth & Family Services free car wash with Be A Jerk and Underage Drinking Prevention information at 3 p.m. at the Ceramic Tile Plus in Kahului, located across from the Queen Kaʻahumanu Center;
• April 18- 20: Maui Economic Opportunity, island wide signage;
• April 22: Maui Youth & Family Services hosts a sign waving event at 3 p.m. at the Queen Kaʻahumanu Center;
• April 24: Maui Youth & Family Services hosts a town hall meeting from 6 to 8 p.m. at Kalama Intermediate School;
• April 25: Boys and Girls Club of Maui, Lahaina hosts a Be a Jerk, Youth Dance from 6 to 10 p.m.;
• April 25: Ke Hale A Ke Ola in Wailuku hosts a Be a Jerk Block Party from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Waikapū Community Center;
• April 29: I love me, Alcohol and Drug Free prevention and education event from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Kīhei Youth Center;
• May 2-4: Maui Economic Opportunity hosts a booth at 10 a.m. at the St. Joseph Fest;
• May 3: Teen Expo from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Queen Kaʻahumanu Center;
• May 3: Maui Economic Opportunity hosts a booth at 9 a.m. at the Kamehameha Schools Hoʻolauleʻa;
• May 9: Boys and Girls Clubs of Maui, Makawao Clubhouse hosts a Family and Friends Night featuring a Kids Video at 6:30 p.m.;
• May 10-11: Maui Economic Opportunity hosts a booth at the Olukai Hoʻolauleʻa at 7 a.m.;
• May 13: I love me, Alcohol and Drug Free prevention and education event from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Kīhei Youth Center;
• May 22: Maui Economic Opportunity hosts a roadside sign event at 4 p.m. at the King Kekaulike High School Graduation;
• May 23: Maui Economic Opportunity hosts a roadside sign event at 4 p.m. at the Baldwin High School Graduation at War Memorial Stadium;
• May 23-26: Maui Economic Opportunity assists with island wide signage;
• May 23: Maui Economic Opportunity hosts a roadside sign event  at 4 p.m. at the Maui High School Graduation at War Memorial Stadium;
• May 23: Maui Economic Opportunity hosts a roadside sign event at 5:30 p.m. at the Lahainaluna High School Graduation at the Lahainaluna Sports Field; and
• May 27: I love me, Alcohol and Drug Free prevention and education event from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Kīhei Youth Center.