Mauians fear
a child could
be poisoned

50 animal poisonings over
10 years prompt calls for a bigger
reward to find South Maui's
'serial killer'

By Gary T. Kubota
Star-Bulletin

KIHEI, Maui -- Fearing a child could be the next victim of serial paraquat poisoning, South Maui residents plan to seek help from Gov. Ben Cayetano and Maui Mayor James Apana.

Residents say not enough attention has been given to eliminate terror caused by the random poisoning of animals for the past 10 years in the vicinity of Auhana Street, apparently through paraquat-laced food tossed along the road.

Paraquat is a herbicide used to kill weeds. The poisonings usually occur from September through November.

Four dogs and a cat have died of confirmed paraquat poisoning within the last three weeks, and about 50 animals in the last 10 years, according to the Maui Humane Society.

"I'm wondering why the state doesn't take it seriously," said Deborah P. Campbell, a Kihei resident. "If a child eats it, it could be murder."

More than 40 residents attended a meeting last night at the old Kihei Community Center to discuss the poisonings.

"This is scary," said Humane Society animal cruelty investigator Aimee Anderson. "We consider this person the same as a serial killer."

Residents said they want to see the reward increased for capturing the person or persons responsible for the poisoning, and hope the state and county can help.

The Humane Society is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for the poisonings.

Paraquat poisoning leads to vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite and difficulty in breathing. Users are now required to register before buying paraquat.

Humane Society officials say the herbicide has a shelf life of 30 years and could have come from a supply obtained before it was regulated.

Brewer Environmental Industries official Mark Kijima, whose company is one of three selling the herbicide, said only a few agriculture-related businesses purchase it each year.

Kijima said less than a thimble full of the liquid herbicide is enough to kill an animal or human being. He said decades ago, the appearance of paraquat was changed from a brown to a clear color after a Hawaii resident thinking it was soda accidentally drank it and died.

Maui veterinarian Miyo Kim said paraquat poisoning seems to be more prevalent in Hawaii than other parts of the United States.

She said there is no antidote for the poison, and the treatment is mainly to induce vomiting and to flush out the poison with fluid.

Kim said very few animals survive paraquat poisoning, and she herself witnessed the death of her dog from the herbicide more than 20 years ago on the Big Island.

"It's horrible to watch," said Kim.