P.A.V.E. is a violence prevention program for sixth graders who attend school in high-crime districts.  The goal of the program is to Pave the Way for a Safer Community by preventing violent behavior before it starts.

P.A.V.E. was adapted from the MAKAHA ELEMENTARY CURRICULUM PROJECT created by educators of MAKAHA ELEMENTARY and KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOLS BISHOP ESTATE. The curriculum builds violence-prevention skills through story telling. Students read stories about a local boy named Manny who encounters domestic violence, vandalism, alcoholism and other problems.

Students learn anger management, self-control, decision-making, empathy, coping, and conflict resolution techniques. Portions of the story are written in "pidgin" English. In addition to the "Manny" stories, P.A.V.E. delivers its anti-violence message in a fun and appealing format with Spiderman comics, puzzles, role-playing, and activity books.

P.A.V.E. has benefited over 800 public school students as of 2005. Initially, Community Prosecutors exclusively taught P.A.V.E. To maximize program outreach and sustainability, current efforts focus on school adoptions in high crime areas, with educators who are willing to teach P.A.V.E. to future generations, using P.A.V.E. textbooks and materials supplied by the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney.

In-kind donations of school supplies and knick-knacks (i.e. water bottles, keychains, visors, etc.) for P.A.V.E. students are welcome.

P.A.V.E. Public Service Announcements on bullying and negative peer pressure ("The Bully" and "Peer Pressure"), sponsored by the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney and produced by CAL HIRAI ("DIVE AND TREK") and MATT YAMASHITA, have aired on Oceanic, KHON, KITV and KGMB stations. A video copy of these 30-second PSA's is available for educational and non-profit use, free of charge, provided that no changes or revisions are made.

Contact the Community Prosecution Program at 547-7400.

® P.A.V.E. Prosecutors and Advocates for Violence Education is a registered trade name of the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney. All rights are reserved.

NOTE: The Local Law Enforcement Block Grant awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance supports this project. The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the Office of Justice Programs. Points of view or opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position of the United States Department of Justice.