HILO — Downtown Hilo business owners are being asked to oppose the pro-marijuana "cannabis college" that recently put up its shingle on Kamehameha Avenue.

"We need more attractive storefronts and positive community role models," states an anonymous, one-page letter that several shop owners said they received yesterday.
A spray-painted sign displayed in the vacant storefront "gives a low first impression of our great city," the letter adds.
The "cannabis college" is located on the ground floor of the Moses Building at 94 Kamehameha Ave. and is part of the THC Ministry, which has its headquarters on the second floor.
The Rev. Roger Christie, who has rented space in the building for the past five years, runs the ministry. He promptly removed the sign yesterday after being shown a copy of the letter.
One sign read "cannabis college," while on the floor was a second sign stating "cannabis cup," which is an international competition to select the most potent and desirable marijuana strain. Each was about 20 square feet.
Pro-marijuana literature also was posted on the windows.
"I've exceeded the comfort level of some in the community, and, for that, I apologize," Christie said while sitting next to two immature pot plants growing on his desk, which also contained small amounts of dried marijuana.
"I want to comfort this anonymous person," he said. "At the same time, I want to stay here."
Christie said the "college" was a one-day seminar held Oct. 3 as a way of trying to promote business in the former art gallery. Participants paid $100 apiece to learn marijuana-growing techniques, he said.
"We had standing-room only," Christie said of the turnout, adding he had opted not to buy a professional sign he commissioned to advertise the event.
Wanting to promote "ganja-nomics" as a way of improving the island's economy through greater use of cannabis, Christie said he's considering using the space for a marijuana museum, gift shop, weekend "college," and Sunday church services.
Whatever the operation, he vowed to display a sign that reflects the "beautiful nature of the neighborhood."
"To the best of my abilities, I'm a good neighbor," he added.
But apparently not to the person or people behind the letter, which encourages business owners to contact "your state/county office or mayor. We did."
Shop owners interviewed yesterday said they won't follow that advice.
"Sounds like a Republican ploy, doesn't it?" asked Nelson Makua, owner of the Na Makua Hawaiian clothing store on Waianuenue Avenue.
Noting he's a graphic artist, Makua said his daily commute takes him past the building, and he would have noticed the sign if it was blatant.
"Freedom of speech. I mean, come on," Makua added about the letter found at his door yesterday.
Its author or author drew no sympathy from James Stoeckel, who owns Frame It! Hawaii Inc. on Waianuenue Avenue.
"To me, anybody who opens their mouth about marijuana is a good guy," said Stoeckel, adding he's been a medical marijuana patient "since the beginning" of the program.
Stoeckel complained that the letter he found when opening his shop included Mayor Billy Kenoi's office number, but not the author's number.
"This is really manini, and it's cowardly," Stoeckel said. "I'm not calling the mayor."
About a week ago, Kenoi's office received one call "from somebody who was unhappy with (Christie's) operation," said Kevin Dayton, one of Kenoi's executive assistants.
Janet Louise, owner of the Village Toy Shop located next to Stoeckel's store, said she also won't complain about the sign or activities.
"I don't like tacky signs, but I have no problem with Roger Christie," she said.
The Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce is located next door to Christie's ministry, but did not receive the letter opposing his operations, said Mary Begier, chamber president.
Begier said some people have asked her what she thinks of Christie's sign.
"It's their building, and it's a free country," she said.
Layne Oki, owner of Cronies Bar & Grill, which is the ministry's other immediate neighbor, declined to comment on the letter.
Efforts to identify who wrote the letter were unsuccessful.
It didn't come from the Downtown Improvement Association, said Kauilani Perdomo, DIA administrative aide.
"I don't really know anything about this," she said.