Agricultural theft is a big problem in Hawaii, and some producers have actually been driven out of business. Millions of dollars worth of product are stolen every year and livelihoods are on the line, but government authorities are warning farmers about using firearms against thieves. Sadly, farmers who dare to defend their property are even facing prosecution.

Dean Okimoto is president of the Hawaii Farm Bureau.

He says thefts are costing the industry millions of dollars and have put farmers, including an areca palm farmer in Waimanalo and growers of Kau oranges, out of business.

However, he and other local authorities said yesterday that farmers should not be taking the law into their own hands.

Kahuku farmer Khamxath Baccam is charged with killing Marcelino Pacheco, Jr., who he believed was stealing produce from his farm last year.

Instead, the local politicos want farmers to discuss the problem as a committee.

A forum will be held at 7 p-m Tuesday at Mission Memorial Auditorium in Honolulu to discuss how to properly prevent agricultural theft.

I would suggest that they hang the thieves and pull their pants down to set an example, but something tells me it would fall on deaf ears.