Pubdate: Fri, 15 Dec 2000
Source: Honolulu Star-Bulletin (HI)
Copyright: 2000 Honolulu Star-Bulletin
Contact:  P.O. Box 3080, Honolulu, Hawaii 96802
Fax: (808) 523-8509
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Author:  Rod Thompson

KIM CITES CONCERNS OVER MARIJUANA ERADICATION

Spraying of Herbicides And Copter Noise Disturb Big Island Residents

HILO -- Law-abiding Big Island residents have valid concerns about 
marijuana eradication efforts, Mayor Harry Kim told the state Board 
of Land and Natural Resources last night.

"There are people who are totally law-abiding, productive, good 
people who are truly disturbed by the noise of the helicopters," Kim 
said.

Yesterday's hearing by the Land Board concerned the state program of 
spraying marijuana plants with herbicides, using long hoses dangling 
from helicopters. The hearing was mandated by the Legislature. The 
board will decide later whether to order changes in procedures.

Kim told the board he fully supports eradication but also supports 
medical use of marijuana for chronic pain.

Then he turned to a description of Big Island lifestyle for the urban 
members of the board.

Thousands of people depend on rainwater caught in tanks for their 
home water supply, Kim said. "Any perceived threat of contamination 
(from herbicides) of this water is very frightening," he said.

People from a noisy urban environment do not understand that noise 
from helicopters can frighten rural people and their animals, he said.

Puna community leader Jon Olson said he is against marijuana. "The 
last thing we need is one more substance to abuse," he said.

But in contradiction of denials made by state officials, Olson said, 
"I have seen helicopters fly over and spray in subdivisions."

Rural Hawaiian Acres resident Judy Richardson said she shot video of 
helicopters deliberately buzzing her house after she made video of 
them at neighboring properties.

Cinny Wenner of Volcano said helicopters fly over their house up to 
six times a year eradicating wild marijuana. Through skylights in her 
ceiling, she sees them pass "not that high" above her house.

Some told board members that some officers conducting the eradication 
are not law-abiding.

"All of us have firsthand knowledge of marijuana being pocketed," 
said hemp legalization activist Dwight Kondo.

Board member Colbert Matsumoto told Kondo people should report the 
offenses to police.

No law enforcement representatives testified at the meeting.
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