Ecoterrorism theories raised in papaya vandalism cases

Question: Whatever happened to the investigation of papaya farms that were vandalized on Hawaii island and Oahu in 2010 and 2011?

Answer: Hawaii County police are continuing their investigation into the destruction of thousands of papaya trees, according to spokeswoman Chris Loos. There have been no arrests.

The Hawaii Papaya Industry Association and the agricultural community increased a reward to $30,000 from $10,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the vandals. The reward was raised after more farms were struck on Hawaii island in 2011.

In May 2010, nearly 400 papaya trees at a Mililani farm owned by Jerry Punzal were destroyed when vandals decapitated treetops. Five weeks later, a farm in Kapoho on Hawaii island sustained an estimated $100,000 loss after 8,500 trees were also destroyed.

In July 2011, vandals hit at least three more farms near Tangerine Acres on Hawaii island, where farmers suffered losses totaling tens of thousands of dollars.

Kenneth Kamiya, president of Kamiya Gold Inc. in Hauula and former president of the Hawaii Papaya Industry Association, said he believes the tree damage at the Big Island farm occurred because of a feud between families.

But it’s highly unlikely that someone will come forward to claim the reward.

“Nobody’s going to squeal on each other,” he said.

Tree damage at the Mili­lani farm involved juveniles.

“It was young kids playing samurai,” Kamiya said.

Honolulu Police Department spokeswoman Michelle Yu said the case was classified as second-degree property damage, a Class C felony that carries a maximum of five years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. No arrests were made and the case was closed.

Ross Sibucao, president of the Hawaii Papaya Industry Association, said the destructive acts prompted affected farmers to patrol their property frequently, worried more trees will be destroyed. Sibucao said he increased patrols at his 8-acre farm in Puna as a precaution.

Some believe the vandalism at Hawaii island farms that grow genetically modified papayas was agricultural terrorism because of the controversy surrounding GMO issues.

Researchers developed genetically modified papayas, including the “Rainbow” variety, after the ringspot virus devastated Hawaii papaya farms in the 1990s. On Oahu, “Kamiya” and “Laie Gold” are also genetically engineered.

The development saved the industry, said Dean Okimoto, president of the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, adding that the industry would falter without biotechnology.

Okimoto said he believes vandalism on Hawaii island could be linked to ecoterrorism. “You’re affecting the livelihood of the small guys,” he said.