Thieving off the land

For all the talk about supporting local agriculture in Hawaii, ranchers and farmers in the islands sometimes feel besieged. While contentious debates over GMOs and pesticides garner more headlines, theft remains a persistent problem, especially for the small operations that are less able to absorb the loss of livestock, fruit, vegetables and plants.

The Kahuku rancher who lost 23 of his prized purebred Boer goats to thieves last month doesn’t expect to see the animals again, but he does hope that a rigorous prosecution of the case raises awareness about agricultural and livestock theft in general, including how its costs trickle down to the consumer. Two men face multiple charges of felony theft in the crime, with the goats valued at $10,000.

Keal Pontin said the actual loss to his operation was much greater. Most of the goats were proven nannies, days aways from giving birth. Nearly half his herd was stolen that bright, clear night, the animals’ mouths duct-taped to keep them quiet.

"It’s been tough, definitely demoralizing, but we’re not quitters," said the 23-year-old Kahuku High School graduate, who has been raising goats and sheep with his best friend for about a year and has been robbed at least twice; the first time only a few goats were taken. The animals graze on 250 acres of leased land and are penned within view of the smaller, adjacent parcel where Pontin lives. He’s beefed up security since last month, adding tall fences to the perimeter, long-range motion sensors, and, soon, highly trained herd-protection dogs. All that raises the cost of doing business, but Pontin can’t afford to lose any more animals, either.

"Everyone wants a sustainable Hawaii — grow local, buy local — and for farmers and ranchers to do their part," he said. "That’s exactly what we are trying to do, but it’s kind of hard when every time the full moon comes out you are looking over your shoulder, wondering if you are going to get robbed."

Janelle Saneishi, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Agriculture, confirmed that theft and vandalism are ongoing concerns statewide, noting that department officials, police, farmers, ranchers and other members of rural communities have worked together in the past to raise awareness and deter crime. The last statewide analysis of the problem was published in 2005, she said, based on a survey conducted the previous year by the Hawaii Field Office of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.

That report pegged the total cost of theft and vandalism at Hawaii farms in 2004 at $11.4 million, or 9 percent of net farm income that year; the total included $7.4 million spent on security upgrades to deter repeat incidents. Statewide, 17 percent of all Hawaii farms were robbed or vandalized that year; Honolulu County had by far the highest rate, at 27 percent. Of 39,632 farm trespassing incidents statewide, only 1,247 were reported to police; 119 resulted in arrests, and 34 in convictions. Looking at enforcement only in Honolulu County, 206 farm crimes were reported, resulting in 10 arrests and six convictions, according to the report.

An HPD spokeswoman was unable to provide up-to-date enforcement figures, noting that agricultural thefts would not generally be distinguished within broader robbery statistics.

It’s a given that the costs associated with agricultural crime have risen since 2004, but laws to combat the problem have been strengthened, too. In many cases, it’s a Class C felony to steal livestock or agricultural commodities such as fruit, nuts, vegetables and flowers. Sellers are supposed to carry proof of ownership, and the lack thereof can serve as evidence of theft. Conviction can bring up to five years in prison and a maximum fine of $10,000 on each count.

"The laws have gotten tougher so it comes down to enforcement, and that takes everyone in the community: the farmers or other witnesses reporting it, the police catching the guys and prosecutors making the case," said Ken Kamiya, who’s been growing papaya on Oahu’s North Shore for 30 years. He lost another 500 pounds of ripe fruit to thieves recently, as well as a battery stolen from a tractor. "I’m not sure that it’s getting worse, it’s just a constant, something we’ve had to deal with forever."

The complex problem, Kamiya believes, is driven by petty criminals out to make a quick buck. "It’s the same mentality as the copper thieves. They take stuff they can turn around for cash right away. Chain saws, compressors, batteries, and, of course, the fruit, " he said. "That’s where the consumer comes in. Someone who is paying way below market price should wonder, ‘Is this stuff stolen?’ Don’t buy it. You’re hurting the farmers and raising the cost of local produce."

Pontin, Kamiya and others said the state and county governments should work together to make it easier for owners of small operations to reside on farm and ranch land that they lease. "Putting a small trailer out there would be a deterrent," said Kamiya, referring to the remote parcel that was most recently robbed. "If they could ease the permitting process for a minor dwelling, it would help."

Pontin is committed to raising awareness about the seriousness of the issue, and to connecting with others throughout the state who’ve been similarly victimized.

"This isn’t just about me. Since this happened, I’ve heard from people raising goats all over Hawaii, saying ‘I was robbed too.’ You shouldn’t be able to steal someone’s livelihood and get away with it," said Pontin, who suspects that his goats were sold, slaughtered and eaten within a day or two of the theft.

"If we are truly going to have a sustainable Hawaii, the whole community has to look out for the small ranchers and farmers."