The agricultural community on the Big Island is celebrating a victory in the ongoing battle against rural crime. A newly formed agricultural crimes task force, created as part of the “Duke’s Law” initiative, is already producing tangible results, with prized cattle recently recovered and returned to their rightful owners. This marks a turning point for farmers and ranchers who have long grappled with the financial burdens and emotional distress caused by theft and vandalism.
"Duke's Law," officially known as SB1249, introduced in 2025, represents a comprehensive approach to combating agricultural crimes. The legislation aims to strengthen laws regarding crimes and violations related to agriculture or agricultural lands. The law also establishes a pilot program within the Department of Law Enforcement on the islands of Oahu and Hawaii, to be implemented at the discretion of the deputy director of law enforcement. The creation of this task force has been a direct response to the increasing challenges faced by the state's agricultural industry. A recent report by Hawaii News Now cited that "Hawaii landowners lost about $3.3 million last year due to theft and vandalism."
Beyond simply recovering stolen property, the task force is designed to address the root causes of agricultural crime, offering hope to farmers feeling the effect of a difficult operating environment. Civil Beat reported that the State of Hawaii is seeing a sharp increase in technology adoption to fight agricultural crime, driven by a desire to increase efficiencies, production, and profits.
The impact extends beyond mere economics. Lani Cran Petrie, president of the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Association, stated that the real cost of the crime could not be priced, including a cost of 1,000 cows that didn’t have water that day, and 2 million gallons of water lost from a reservoir.
Following the success of the task force, those involved are looking to build upon this early success. The initial focus on recovery will be strengthened by a strategic emphasis on preventing future crimes, and further collaboration with local law enforcement agencies and community stakeholders. The long-term vision is to create a safer, more secure environment for ranchers and producers, thus supporting the sustainability of Hawaii's agricultural sector and food security for the entire island chain.
