Harry S. Kubojiri
William P. Kenoi Police Chief
Mayor
Paul K. Ferreira
Deputy Police Chief
County of Hawai' i
POLICE DEPARTMENT -,
349 Kapi'olani Street • Hilo, Hawaii 96720-3998
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(808) 935-3311 • Fax (808) 961-2389
September 9,2009
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
In accordance with the semi-annual reporting requirements of Chapter 14, Article 16,
Section 14-102(2) of the Hawai'i County Code, the Hawai'i Police Department ("HPD") submits
the following addendum to the Lowest Law Enforcement Priority of Cannabis Statistics for
period of November 2008 to May 2009 Memorandum dated May 29,2009 ("Memorandum").
1. General Background
After November 4, 2008, officers of the HPD were notified of Ordinance No. 08-181 and
infonned to respect lowest priority enforcement in the case of adult personal use on private
property when other laws are not being violated. Officers were also instructed to continue the
established practice of checking for medical Iliarijuana licenses before requesting a· search
warrant for private property, a practice that has been in effect since December 28, 2000. It is
UNDISPUTED that Ordinance No. 08-181 DOES NOT LEGALIZE MARJIUANA. Mr. Adam'
Lehman, Mr. Roger Christie and other individuals associated with the Peaceful Sky Alliance
have aclmowledged this fact numerous times.
II. Purpose of Addendum
As previously indicated in our initial Memorandum, the HPD does not possess the ability
to breakdown with absolute certainty the specific amount of time and money expended by the
County of Hawai'i on the enforcement and punishment of marijuana offenses. However, by
submitting this addendum the HPD attempts to provide you with an estimate based upon an
average time/cost factor. Future memorandums relating to the Lowest Law Enforcement Priority
of Cmmabis Statistics will use the same methodology.
"Hawai'i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer"
KENNETH GOODENOW, COUNTY CLERK
SEPTEMBER 9, 2009
PAGE 2
III. Addendum Estimates of Time and Money Expended by HPD
For the time period of November 4, 2008 through May 31, 2009, there were
approximately 104,233 calls for service. Of those 104,233 calls for service, approximately 291
were related to enforcement for all marijuana offenses. Thus, for the time period specified,
0.28% of the calls for. service were related to enforcement of adult cannabis offenses. This
figure represents approximately .0275852483% of the HPD's budget. l
There were no Counter Cannabis Field Operations conducted by the HPD during
the aforementioned reporting period. However, on March 16-19,2009, a total of five HPD
personnel assisted the Drug Enforcement Administration's Domestic Cannabis Eradication
and Suppression Program (DCE/SP) mission, by providing ground support for the
operation that was conducted in both East and West Hawai'i. 2
It is important to note the following as it relates to the computation of the estimates
contained within this addendum:
1. These estimates only cover the time period from November 4,2008 to May 31, 2009.
2. These estimates are inclusive of ALL cannabis offenses of individuals, to include
those below 21 years of age.
3. These estimates include cannabis offenses that were incidental to other felony or
misdemeanor offenses/charges.
Should you have any questions, feel free to contact Assistant Chief Marshall Kanehailua
at 961-2261.
1 This figure includes grant funding that amounted to approximately 692.16 manpower hours and approximately
$17,943.00 of salaries and overtime of personnel.
2 Three HPD officers assisted on March 16-17, 2009. Two HPD officers assisted on March 18-19, 2009.