Seniors on Maui Seek More Security and Personal Medical Alarm

WAILUKU, Maui — The demand for personal alarms, pepper spray and other protection gadgets is spiking here as senior residents respond to four attacks on older women since May 30.

"Today is one of the biggest selling days for pepper spray because of what happened," said Helaman Aiwohi of Uncle Jessie's, a military surplus and martial arts store in Wailuku.

Three Radio Shack stores in Maui stores have sold out of the "Mini Egg," a personal alarm that sells for less than $10. The battery-powered device allows the holder to pull its key ring pin to activate 140 decibels of piercing noise. Radio Shack Hawai'i spokesman Peter Tabilang said Maui customers may still order them.

Pat Layton, 70, said she carries the egg-shaped alarm for safety and has encouraged other Maui seniors to buy them since the first attack occurred three months ago.

Layton, senior coordinator with the social service agency Maui Economic Opportunity Inc., has conducted presentations about the device to 45 Maui senior club presidents and to gatherings of more than 15 senior citizen clubs. Tomorrow, she will be demonstrating the device to a seniors club at the Wailuku Community Center.

"I was so thrilled that it worked out for this woman. But now I'm wondering what's he going to do next? Is he going to become more physical?" Layton said. "A lot of seniors are very, very scared. I mean scared. But there's also the attitude that 'OK, you scared me. Now I'm getting mad.' "

Layton said she intends to continue spreading the word about the alarm.

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