Posted on: Wednesday, September 15, 2004

EDITORIAL
Farm thefts cannot be treated lightly

It is a shame that it took a tragedy — a shooting — to galvanize O'ahu's small farmers and their supporters to become more forceful in their reaction to the growing problem of farm theft on the island.

In the shooting, a Laotian farmer is accused of killing a man whom he suspected was stealing equipment and produce.

While the courts will have to sort out this particular case, it is clear that theft from largely unguarded and unfenced farms is becoming a major problem. Farmers say they can lose thousands of dollars a year in stolen produce.

In the wake of the shooting, some 250 mostly small farmers and supporters gathered to consider what they can do to reduce the incidence of theft.

This would include joint action in lobbying the legislature for tougher laws, closer coordination with police and other officials and possibly some form of joint security operation for the farm operators.

This is not simply a case of someone plucking an occasional papaya or banana from someone's tree. It is a direct threat to the economic livelihood of these farmers and it must be dealt with.