HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0572.002 2008-2010
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October 20, 2009
From: Pualani Lindsey
Address: 13-448 Pohoiki Rd.
Telephone: 808-280-9986
RE: Low flying Aircraft, infringement of personal privacy, breaking laws and establishing an effective
grievance procedure
Aloha Nui Loa Council Chairman J. Yoshimoto and Members of Council
My name is Pualani Lindsey, and I am here today to discuss concerns regarding significantly low flying
aircrafts over my home and gardens as well as the lack of concern of the police and DEA officers when
entering my property on a sting operation occurring at my neighbor's home and property.
On October 2, 2009, at 3:45 pm, a white and blue helicopter flew at a distance of approximately 80 feet
from the east kitchen window at under 30 feet above my home. The chopper flew so low that I could
see the faces of the personnel in the cockpit. Upon feeling violated and having my privacy infringed
upon, I quickly drew my curtains shut! The chopper then flew to the north side of the kitchen to look
into the other windows, at again approximately 30 feet above my home.
I question: Who gives these strangers the right to enter my property and peek into my windows? Am I
dealing with a voyeur? Must I keep my bedroom and bathroom windows closed just in case some
chopper pilot decides there may be some suspicion of illegal activity? Where do we draw the line and
function under the laws set forth by our forefathers in government.
This is not the only time I felt violated. There were two other occurrences of when I was weeding my
garden and a helicopter hovered approximately 200 feet above and around me to see what I was doing.
This behavior is so annoying and again violating my personal privacy and is an endangerment to me.
These practices of low flying must STOP. If I had small children around, they would be very
frightened by this conduct.
When I voiced my concerns and wanted to file a grievance, I found that the Puna Police Department
would not call me back, even when I requested a call-back. The police department's non-emergency
number explained that an officer would call me back (since I made a request) but the proper procedure
was to call the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration). I did file a grievance with the FAA--Hilo
Branch for the 10/2/09 incident. I was told that a call would be returned after their investigation was
complete. I was also informed that under the law ifthere was a tip or a suspicion of criminal activity
the helicopters can fly low, and are able to land on the property.
My personal privacy and property was also violated when my gate lock to my 10-acre parcel was cut
and the gate was left open after a sting operation that occurred at my neighbor's home and property.
This incident occurred when I was off-island and was not returning to my home for a week. The police
and DEA officers searched around my home and gardens. They did not have a search warrant nor did
they find anything illegal on the property. The neighbors to the other side was not as fortunate as 1,
since the police and DEA agents ransacked their home leaving everything as they opened, since these
neighbors did not lock their doors. The farm animals entered their home and all their buildings because
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Ref. Date OCT 2 0 Z@,O~