Video by David Corrigan, Baron Sekiya of Hawaii24/7 | Voice of Stephanie Salazar

KAPOHO, Hawaii: No breaks in the case to report on the investigation into the destruction of 10 acres of papaya trees in Kapoho last week, but Puna’s councilman is stepping up to try to get help for the affected farmers.

These papayas – on three adjoining fields on Alohalani – were hacked down, almost a year to the day that another papaya farmer in the same area lost 8,500 crops to similar vandalism.

Councilman Fred Blas is determined to help the victimized farmers, and is taking his plea to the airways… all in an attempt to get someone to come forward with information. At last count, a reward had passed $3,400.

Police ask that anyone with information about this case call Acting Lieutenant Reed Mahuna at 961-2252. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers doesn’t record calls or subscribe to caller ID. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.