Most moral codes frown upon the act of stealing

A sad part of farming in Hawaii is how much theft and vandalism our farmers must endure. It adds up to millions of dollars each year, affecting their livelihoods and our food supply.

Last summer, vandals hacked down hundreds of papaya trees on Oahu and the Big Island. This past weekend, thieves stole farm equipment from a taro restoration project in Heeia and pricey ornamental plants from a nursery in Waimanalo. Also in Waimanalo, thieves recently stole one farmer’s entire avocado crop and bananas from three others.

These thieves aren’t pikers. They’re well equipped with blowtorches and other gear intended to help them easily steal what other people have worked so hard to purchase or produce. It’s shameful, immoral and, of course, illegal.

Let’s hope these criminals are brought to justice.

They had history lessons on ‘The Brady Bunch’?

Hawaii got a featured spot Monday in the hallowed halls of TV’s "The Daily Show," in which Jon Stewart interviewed author and humorist Sarah Vowell.

Vowell’s latest book, "Unfamiliar Fishes," is about the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy. Of course, the comedy host found ways to mine laughs from even this sober topic.

Vowell said the annexation was part of the 1898 U.S. "orgy of imperialism." But Stewart suggested maybe it was all a bid to free Hawaiians from an evil queen "making wicked tiki dolls."

"You’re getting your history from ‘The Brady Bunch,’" the author deadpanned.