DOCARE officers cited four people on a variety of charges, including unlawful introduction of plant life on public property and altering geological features by digging into manicured grass during a third attempt at planting an illegal garden in the Wailoa River State Recreation Area in Hilo. Officers observed the individuals involved in activities that included digging up grass and planting. They will need to appear in Hilo District Court in the future.
A dozen people showed up at Wailoa River State Recreation Area in response to various social media posts from 65-year-old Gene Tamashiro of Hilo that claimed Wailoa River State Recreation Area does not belong to the State. This is the third time Tamashiro has been ticketed for illegally planting vegetation in the park. In 2013, and again in January 2021, he and others were cited for the same activities.
In addition to Tamashiro, the others cited were:
- Joanna Pike, 58, Laupāhoehoe
- Aero-Travis Olson-Coomer, 42, Pahoa
- Mia Pavao, 23, Pahoa
DOCARE officers observed all four either digging up grass or planting trees/shrubs, thus they were cited accordingly and will need to appear in Hilo District Court in the future.
Photo credit: DLNR
