HILO, Hawaii (AP) – Two Big Island men accused of growing marijuana inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park have been arrested by federal agents.

Park Ranger Mardie Lane says 23-year-old Andre Victor and 20-year-old Mano White were arrested Sunday in Hilo after being named in a federal indictment.

The Pahoa men are charged with conspiring to cultivate/distribute marijuana, possession/cultivation of marijuana and intent to distribute marijuana.

Lane says park rangers initially arrested Victor and White in December as they attempted to plant 47 marijuana plants in the forest along Mauna Loa Road.

She says the area is designated a special ecological area and is managed to protect and restore Hawaii’s native plants and animals.

Douglas is a member of the THC Ministry in Hilo, and is using his religion as a defense against the charges.

He is representing himself at his hearing today.

Source: Boston Herald

This Sunday, Feb. 7th – Noon until 6:00 PM

List of performers:

• Tuff Lion
• Sahra Indio
• Ai Pohaku
• Bruddah Skippy Guys
• Nectarina
• Ben Kaili
• Denise Peralta

A Zero Waste Event!

A spray-painted paper sign is pictured Tuesday posted inside a Hilo Bayfront display window, near the entrance to the Hawaii Cannabis Ministry. - William Ing/Tribune-Herald

While an anonymous letter was given to local business owners calling to oppose the shop, it sounds as if most neighbors do not take issue with their presence:

But apparently not to the person or people behind the letter, which encourages business owners to contact “your state/county office or mayor. We did.”

Shop owners interviewed Tuesday said they won’t follow that advice.

“Sounds like a Republican ploy, doesn’t it?” asked Nelson Makua, owner of the Na Makua Hawaiian clothing store on Waianuenue Avenue.

Noting he’s a graphic artist, Makua said his daily commute takes him past the building, and he would have noticed the sign if it was blatant.

“Freedom of speech. I mean, come on,” Makua added about the letter found at his door Tuesday.

Its author or author drew no sympathy from James Stoeckel, who owns Frame It! Hawaii Inc. on Waianuenue Avenue.

“To me, anybody who opens their mouth about marijuana is a good guy,” said Stoeckel, adding he’s been a medical marijuana patient “since the beginning” of the program.

Stoeckel complained that the letter he found when opening his shop Tuesday included Mayor Billy Kenoi’s office number, but not the author’s number.

“This is really manini, and it’s cowardly,” Stoeckel said. “I’m not calling the mayor.”

About a week ago, Kenoi’s office received one call “from somebody who was unhappy with (Christie’s) operation,” said Kevin Dayton, one of Kenoi’s executive assistants.

Janet Louise, owner of the Village Toy Shop located next to Stoeckel’s store, said she also won’t complain about the sign or activities.

“I don’t like tacky signs, but I have no problem with Roger Christie,” she said.

The Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce is located next door to Christie’s ministry, but did not receive the letter opposing his operations, said Mary Begier, chamber president.

Begier said some people have asked her what she thinks of Christie’s sign.

“It’s their building, and it’s a free country,” she said.

Source: Tribune-Herald via 420Magazine.com