Reward Offered in Puna Papaya Vandalism Case

By Wendy Osher

Police in Puna are offering a reward of up to $30,000 for information leading to charges in connection with the destruction of 10 acres of papaya trees in July.

Patrol officers responded to a report of cut trees at three adjoining (but separately owned) fields in Kapoho on July 19, 2011.

Authorities say the trees appeared to have been chopped down with a machete, while additional adjoining fields were left undamaged.

The incident occurred in an area near where 8,500 trees were destroyed a year earlier.

The reward is being funded jointly by the Hawaiʻi Crop Improvement Association, the Hawaiʻi Papaya Industry Association and the Hawaiʻi County Office of the Mayor.

Anyone with information can call Detective Brandon Konanui at 961-2340 or the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311.  Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona.