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.