HONOLULU (KHON2) — An investigation is underway on the Big Island after more than 20 sheep were found slaughtered on a ranch in Pahoa.
Officials said it is the latest example of crimes on agricultural land that hinder production.
Police said more than 20 sheep were slaughtered between Friday, Oct. 3 and Monday, Oct. 6 on a 200-acre ranch located along Government Beach Road.
Authorities said the sheep appeared to have dog bite marks.
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“Losing one animal is enough. That’s a lot. Right. Again, they put in resources into raising that animal. So losing one is a big deal for a farmer. Losing 20 is devastating. That’s quite a bit,” said Hawaii Farm Bureau executive director Brian Miyamoto.
Sen. Tim Richards, III is a farmer himself and said the latest incident brings back memories of Cranston “Duke” Pia, who was shot and killed in February, 2024 on his Makaha ranch.
“We had a trespasser that was poaching and, things escalated to a point where Cranston was killed,” Sen. Richards said. “And a lot of our crimes against agriculture, in agriculture, start with the trespass.”
Pia’s death led to the passage of Duke’s Law in 2025, which establishes higher penalties for crimes on agricultural land. The State Department of Law Enforcement also has a new tip line for these sorts of crimes — 808-427-3323 — that can be called or text at any time.
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“Farmers want to focus on farming and ranching and Ag crimes is a problem that they have to deal with that is unreported, but it is a problem out there affecting our ability to produce,” Miyamoto said.
Police said the Pahoa property where the livestock were killed is fenced in, the sheep were valued at $2,500 and were in an area where hunting and trespassing are prohibited.
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Anyone with information is asked to call Big Island police.