WAILUKU — While students were out of school for spring break last month, police juvenile officers swept through Maui beaches and parks, making arrests for underage drinking, drug possession and curfew violations.

Sixteen people were arrested for 27 offenses during "Operation Spring Fling" from March 15 to 19.

Those arrested included 14- and 17-year-old Upcountry boys found with marijuana in Paia on March 15 and 29-year-old Lahaina resident Kamana Ng, who was found with marijuana at Honolua Bay on March 17, police said. That afternoon, three other men —Lahaina residents Kingston Lindsey, 19, and James Lane, 18; and Jesse Silva, 19, who gave no local address — were arrested at Banyan Tree Park in Lahaina for drinking in a historic district and underage drinking.

Silva also was charged with third-degree promotion of a detrimental drug after a glass pipe containing suspected marijuana residue was found in his backpack, police said. Lane was charged with possessing a prohibited deadly weapon after a throwing knife was found in his pocket, police reported.

The following day, three boys were arrested at 12:10 p.m. in the Paia Bay parking lot after they were seen drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana, police said. One of the boys also was charged with second-degree promotion of a detrimental drug and third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug after he was found with a glass jar containing 16 sealed packets of marijuana and a jar containing a white powder suspected to be cocaine, police said. Officers also recovered $400 cash.

The final arrests occurred at 12:45 a.m. March 19 when officers made contact with Kihei youths who were at a beach along North Kihei Road. Jennifer DeGala, 18, and Jeffrey Busto, 19, were arrested for underage drinking along with a 16-year-old and two 15-year-olds. The juveniles also were charged with curfew violations as were two other juveniles, ages 10 and 12, who were in the group, police said.

All of those arrested were released to parents or released on their own recognizance.

Juvenile investigator Kyle Nagano organized the operation, which was headed by acting Sgt. Gordon Sagun and included juvenile investigators Sam Gasmen, Dale Corpuz and Mary Sagawinit.

Sgt. David Silva said enforcement targeting criminal activity involving juveniles is ongoing.

"With kids back in school, we'll continue to do our weekend enforcement," he said.