Papaya trees vandalized on Big Island

Big Island police are investigating vandalism to papaya trees in Puna. The head of two farms outside of Keaau found about 35 trees pushed down.

Witnesses told police they saw two young men knocking over the trees. Those men were seen riding off on bicycles before getting into a blue Toyota pickup.

No arrests have been made. This latest crime has gotten the attention of all Keaau farmers.

"Even a few trees affects their income and we here have become very sensitive to this on the property," said Bill Walters president of Shipman Limited.

Walters says farmers in the area have banded together to form a "farm watch". Every suspicious incident is reported to police and to other Keaau farmers.

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