HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0749.046 1998-2000
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BENJAMIN J. CAYETANO RAYNARD C. SOON
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JOBIE M. K. M. YAMAGUCHI
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STATE OF HAWAII
DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS
P.O. Box 1879
HONOLULU. HAWAII 96805
July 19, 2000
The Honorable James Y. Arakaki
Chair and Presiding Officer
Hawaii County Council
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Dear Mr. Chair:
Subject: Resolution No. 246 00, Regarding Authorizing the
County of Hawaii to Enter Into an Agreement With the
United States of America, Pursuant to HRS 46-7, for a
Marijuana Eradication Grant
On behalf of the State of Hawaii Department of Hawaiian Home
Lands (DHHL), I would like to express our strong support for the
above referenced resolution and the County of Hawaii's
continuation of the Marijuana Eradication Program.
Hawaii Police Department statistics from last year reveal that
more than of 215,000 marijuana plants, 35 pounds of dried
marijuana, and 45 weapons were recovered. Some of these plants
were eradicated from unencumbered Hawaiian home lands in lower
Piihonua and in Panaewa.
Without this program, it would be difficult and dangerous for
DHHL to manage its lands and to distribute them to our native
Hawaiian beneficiaries. It would also limit our ability to
permit interim uses of these lands until such tilne as they are
placed into homesteading.
Illegal drug use is a serious problem throughout our society and
one that we are continuing to battle within our Hawaiian
homestead communities. Although many will testify that
marijuana use is harmless and does not lead to other drug use,
we believe otherwise. We know of many examples where illegal
Comm. No. 7Z/9
Pat-
File No.
Rel. To: ccunc
Ref. Date 'M 2 6 2M
The Honorable James Y. Arakaki
July 19, 2000
Page 2
drug use has torn apart good families, led to serious criminal
activities, and severely harmed any positive family atmosphere.
Marijuana is a drug and, while its use may alleviate the
symptoms of some diseases, its cultivation should be strictly
controlled.
Again, we urge the passage of Resolution No. 246 00.
taawai . Soon, Chairman
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