Patrol units from the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) conducted surveillance along the Ali‘i Drive shoreline in Kailua-Kona last Saturday, where they caught several individuals believed to be harvesting ‘opihi. According to a report by the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Theodore Benedicto, 54, and Tracy Benedicto, 47, both from Pāhoa, were approached by officers on shore and were found with a catch that included 144 undersized ‘opihi.
Cited for violating Hawai‘i Administrative Rules (HAR) Section 13-92-1(a)(1) OPIHI, the Benedictos are now summoned to appear in Kona District Court on May 15. After inspection, the ‘opihi were alive and in good condition, officials directed the pair, found to have the undersized marine snails, to return them to a tide pool for potential reattachment and survival. In a statement obtained by DLNR, DOCARE Chief Jason Redulla emphasized the unique perspective that marine patrol units provide, with a view "entirely different than what land-based officers may be seeing."
The same day, DOCARE officers dealt with another individual engaged in similar activities, 60-year-old James Kanuha of Kailua-Kona, who was cited for possession of 156 undersized ‘opihi. Kanuha's citation also falls under the aforestated administrative rule, and his court appearance is scheduled for May 8. After his citation for the undersized catch, officers discovered through Hawai‘i’s eBench Warrant System that Kanuha also had an outstanding bench warrant for Contempt of Court from a previous ‘opihi-related case in 2023.
Kanuha, found picking ‘opihi along the shoreline, was instructed to return the marine snails to a tide pool before being confirmed on his warrant and subsequently arrested. He was then transported to the Kona Police Station, where he was booked, and as per the DLNR's account, Kanuha posted $250 bail and was released. The situation underscores the ongoing enforcement efforts to protect Hawai‘i's marine resources and the consequences of disregarding local conservation laws.
