Men get six months in jail for koa theft

By Timothy Hurley
Advertiser Staff Writer

A Big Island judge has sentenced two men to six months in jail for stealing $104,000 worth of koa trees.

However, Circuit Judge Riki May Amano said Thursday that she would postpone the jail time for at least six months to allow the men to start paying restitution of $15,375.

Aaron S. Cypriano and Herbert De Costa Jr., both of Honoka'a, originally pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree theft but changed to guilty to reduce the charges to second-degree theft. The change of plea also reduced the potential prison time from 10 to five years.

The men were accused of removing 31 koa trees from state property in May last year. The trees were growing in the Hilo Forest Reserve and several other locations.

Key to the investigation were state foresters who were able to match the stumps of cut koa to some of the logs in the men's possession. Some of the trees were close to 100 years old.

Grown only in Hawai'i and known for its use in traditional Hawaiian canoes, the native koa is a hardwood prized by local craftsmen and woodworkers. In recent years, its rising value has spawned a black market.

The judge also ordered both men to perform 1,000 hours community service and return to court in six weeks to report on compliance with the orders.