Department of Defense

Aviators help in Green Harvest

Nearly 22,000 pounds of marijuana were confiscated on Maui, Molokai and Kauai during a recent phase of Operation Green Harvest. State and Federal law enforcement officials conducted the operation with logistical support from Hawaii Army National Guard aviators and flight crew members.

Local law enforcement agencies wanted to attack the drug problem on an economic basis by destroying marijuana wherever it was found. There were three separate search-and-destroy raids conducted: the first was on Maui and Molokai from Aug. 28 to Sept. 1; the second on Maui from Sept. 5 to 8; and the third on Kauai from Sept. 11 to 15.

At the request of Maui Mayor Elmer Cravalho and Kauai Mayor Eduardo Malapit, Gov. George R. Ariyoshi authorized a total of 29 Hawaii Army National Guard aviators and flight crew members on State active duty to assist the police and Federal officials during the three raids. No more than 19 guardsmen were on duty each day.

Since many of the marijuana plants were believed to be cultivated on property highly inacce sible by land, the search and seizure of the illicit weed could only be accomplished with the use of helicopters

Five Army National Guard helicopters, two OH-58s and three H-1 s were used in the raids which resulted in 15, 185 pounds of marijuana confiscated on Maui and Molokai and 6,124 pounds on Kauai. Police estimated the street value of the confiscated goods at more than $4.2 million.

Eleven weapons and two boats were seized during the marijuana raids. Fifteen persons were arrested.

The entire operation cost the State approximately $32,000 with the bulk of the cost pegged at the salaries of the Army Guard aviators and the aviation fuel.

Two OH-58 helicopters were used to fly police spotters who were trained to locate the marijuana plants from the air.

As the situation required. the H-1 helicopter were then used to transport police task force teams to the marijuana patches.

The police task force teams did the actual “harvesting” of the marijuana, while the guardsmen’s job was to transport police teams and the plants.

According to Maj. Gen. Valentine A. Siefermann, State adjutant general, “The operations were conducted in a highly organized and professional manner without any serious incident.”

– 1978 December Pūpūkahi pp. 1

Helicopter support was provided the joint federal-county law enforcement task force statewide “Operation Green Harvest” marijuana eradication program on three separate occasions. Gaining access by helicopters into areas highly inaccessible by land has proved to be most effective for police in such eradication operations.

– 1979 Annual Report pp. 6

Operation Green Harvest continues; guard Support

Nearly 40,416 pounds of marijuana were confiscated on Kauai, Oahu and Big Island during a recent phase of Operation Green Harvest.

State and County law enforcement officials conducted operations with aviation support from Hawaii Army National Guard aviators and flight crew members.

The most recent phase of Operation Green Harvest in the continuing effort by local law enforcement agencies to attack the drug problem on an economic basis by destroying marijuana wherever it is found.

Gov. George R. Ariyoshi authorized the use of the National Guard equipment and personnel at the request of Big Island Mayor Herbert Matayoshi, Kauai Mayor Eduardo Malapit and Honolulu Mayor Frank Fasi.

A total of 65 Hawaii Army National Guard aviators, flight crew and support personnel were placed on state active duty to assist the county police during the raids on the three islands.

As local law enforcement efforts are: stepped up to combat the illegal growth of the “Pakalolo”, farmers growing marijuana are being forced to grow their crop in remote areas of their island. It is because of this fact, marijuana being grown in highly inaccessible terrain, that the search and seizure of
the illicit weed could only be accomplished with the use of helicopters.

Seventeen Army National Guard helicopters, eight OH-58s and nine UH-1Hs were used in the raids which resulted in 36,660 pounds of marijuana confiscated on the Big Island, 2,000 pounds on Kauai and 1,756 pounds on Oahu. Police estimated the street value of the confiscated goods at nearly $1.5 million.

During the raids, county vice officers arrested five persons. The entire operation cost the state $61,600 with the bulk of the costs attributed to the salaries of the Army Guard aviators and the cost of flying the aircraft.

The OH-58 helicopters were used to fly police spotters who are trained to locate marijuana plants from the air.

The U H-1 H “Hueys” were then used to , transport police task force teams to the ‘pakalolo” patches.

Police task force teams, armed with machetes and side arms, were lowered from the helicopters into the patches to chop down the plants as well as clear a landing zone for the helicopters. The cut plants were then hauled away, either suspended beneath the helicopter tied by rope or loaded inside the aircraft.

According to Maj. Gen. Valentine A. Siefermann, state adjutant general, “The operations were conducted in a highly organized and professional manner without any serious incident.”

– 1979 December Pūpūkahi pp. 4-5

The department participated in law enforcement task force marijuana eradication projects called, “Operation Green Harvest.” Two separate operations were conducted statewide during fiscal year 1980.

– 1980 Annual Report pp. 15

In connection with their State mission, the Hawaii Army National Guard provided a great deal of helicopter and personnel support to the counties for the “green harvest” operations.

– 1981 Annual Report pp. 1

During this period, 578.4 aircraft hours were flown in support of county law enforcement agencies in the effort to eradicate marijuana crops.

– 1981 Annual Report pp. 6

Garden Isle Green Harvest

– 1981 Fall Pūpūkahi pp. 6

The Hawaii Army National Guard also continued to provide helicopter support to the counties for “Green Harvest” operations.

– 1982 Annual Report pp. 1

Aircrew members played an active role on state active duty in support of county law enforcement agencies during “Operation Green Harvest,” a marijuana eradication mission conducted in the counties of Hawaii, Maui, Kauai, and Honolulu. Approximately 800 flight hours were utilized to support state related missions. . .

The Hawaii Army National Guard continued to support the law enforcement task force on the marijuana eradication program “Operation Green Harvest” with helicopters and personnel. For the first time, armed troops were employed on Kauai in the August 1981 operation. Police intelligence revealed possible armed retaliation from marijuana growers.

– 1982 Annual Report pp. 8

The Hawaii Army National Guard continued to support “Operation Green Harvest” with helicopter and personnel. “Operation Green Harvest” seeks to significantly reduce the production of marijuana. In July 1982, rappeling training assistance was provided to law enforcement personnel in the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

– 1983 Annual Report pp. 10

The Hawaii Army National Guard continued to support the law enforcement task force in each county in the marijuana eradication program, “Operation Green Harvest.” The Hawaii Army National Guard provided helicopter and personnel support, expending 1,274 mandays and 542 flying hours. Rappelling training assistance was also provided to the emergency response teams of each county during the year.

– 1984 Annual Report pp. 9

The Hawaii Army National Guard continued to support the law enforcement task force from each county in the marijuana eradication program, ” Operation Green Harvest.” The Hawaii Army National Guard provided helicopter and personnel support expending 460 man-days and 344 flying hours that included rappelling training assistance provided to the state and county emergency response teams during the year.

– 1985 Annual Report pp. 9

The Hawaii Army National Guard continued to support law enforcement task forces in each county in the marijuana eradication program, “Operation Green Harvest;’ by providing helicopter and personnel support. Rappelling training assistance was also provided to emergency response teams of each county during the year.

– 1986 Annual Report pp. 8

The Hawaii Army National Guard has and will continue to support civil authorities for law enforcement purposes. Helicopter support is provided to each county for the marijuana eradication program called “Operation Green Harvest:’ This operation supplements other programs provided by the Drug Enforcement Agency.

– 1987 Annual Report pp. 8

The Hawaii Army National Guard continued to support civil authorities for law enforcement purposes. The Hawaii Army National Guard provided helicopter support to each county for the marijuana eradication program called, “Operation Green Harvest.” This operation supplements other programs provided by the Federal Drug Enforcement Agency. This year, the Guard flew more than 240 helicopter hours in seven operations, which resulted in the destruction of 434,905 marijuana plants with a street value of $434,905,000.

– 1988 Annual Report pp. 7

The Hawaii National Guard received $247,000 from the Federal Government to support County, State and Federal law enforcement agencies in local drug eradication and interdiction efforts. The program is controlled by the State and involves the use of Guard equipment and personnel. Since June 1, 1989, 10 Army Guard soldiers have been alternating on active duty to support the U.S. Customs Service.

– 1989 Annual Report pp. 1

The Hawaii Army National Guard continued to support civil authorities for law enforcement purposes. The 1989 Defense Authorization and Appropriations Act provided funding for an enhanced role for the National Guard in drug enforcement support. To support law enforcement agencies, National Guard personnel are placed on Active Duty Special Work, Title 32, U.S C., status which must be performed over and above normal training. Since the receipt of Federal resources to support drug enforcement operations. the Hawaii Army National Guard continued to provide helicopter support to each county for the marijuana eradication program called, “Operation Green Harvest.”

Beginning on June 1, 1989, 10 Hawaii Army National Guard personnel were placed on active duty to provide assistance and support to the U.S. Customs Service. They assist customs inspectors in the inspection and search of foreign arrival cargo containers, aircraft, postal mail and packages.

– 1989 Annual Report pp. 9

The Hawaii Army National Guard continued to support civil authorities for law enforcement purposes. Again in FY 1990, Federal funds were provided to the National Guard for its enhanced role in drug enforcement support. To support law enforcement agencies, National Guard personnel are placed on Active Duty Special Work, Title 32, U.S.C., status which must be performed over and above normal training. Since the receipt of Federal resources to support drug enforcement operations, the Hawaii Army National Guard continued to provide helicopter support to each county for the marijuana eradication program “Operation Green Harvest.”

– 1990 Annual Report pp. 9