MARIJUANA CONTROL

Declare A Moritorium

The election of Nov. 4, 2008 which brought Mayor Kenoi to office also
recorded 35,000 votes in favor of a new county law, the Lowest Law
Enforcement Priority of Cannabis ordinance. As a result of this change
in priorities the Police Department has been directed to respect the
sanctity and privacy of our homes and gardens and to cease accepting
and spending funds that involve county personnel in marijuana
eradication programs.

In spite of the ordinance, helicopters have continued flying most of
this year. The Peaceful Sky Alliance, an organization advocating for
residents under this law, has received numerous complaints from
residents and, based upon testimony and documents supplied by police,
all of these missions were supported or coordinated by Hawaii County
police personnel. One comment made by an Oceanview resident which
reflects the feeling of most was, "this is like a war zone."

We are asking Kenoi now to do something about it by declaring a
moratorium on all marijuana eradication missions.

Further, we would appreciate a commitment from the mayor that he will
not aid or assist our Police Department to receive funding. We would
like him to honor the voters' wishes and direct our Hawaii County
Police Department to obey the law.

As head of the executive branch of county government, it is his
responsibility to ensure that all departments including the Police
Department and Prosecuting Attorney are briefed as to the changes
required by the ordinance. Kenoi should act now by declaring a
moratorium on all helicopter missions and show the voters that he was
listening when they asked for change.

Yvonne Conner, M.D.

Hilo