Farmers gather in wake
of recent shooting

Local growers believe government
officials must do more to help stop
produce theft

Spurred by the fatal shooting of a suspected produce thief -- allegedly by one of their own -- more than 150 farmers gathered in Kahuku last night to discuss the growing problem of farm thefts, which they say cost them thousands in lost produce and equipment each year.

"The shooting kind of sent up the red flag in signaling that we have the same problems," said Nara Sihavong, who identified himself as a spokesman for Hawaii's Laotian-American community, many of whom are farmers.

"It brought the community together to voice a larger issue."

Kahuku farmer Khamxath Baccam, 48, was charged last week with second-degree murder. He is accused of shooting a man on his Malaekahana Valley farm and then leaving the victim to bleed to death.

Baccam suspected Marcelino Pacheco Jr. of stealing his produce.

Pacheco, 38, was found dead Tuesday by Baccam's wife along a private road at the end of Malaekahana Road. At the time, the suspect's wife did not know her husband was involved in the case.

Police said Pacheco had gunshot wounds to the center of his back and his left leg. He bled to death after being hit in a major artery in his leg, police said.

You Soukaseum of You Farms in Kahuku hosted last night's meeting, which was attended by farmers from around Oahu and several area lawmakers. Soukaseum said he knows Baccam as a "really nice" man and was shocked when he heard about last week's shooting.

"We are very scared," Soukaseum said. "The government has to hear us. How can they protect us?"

Both Soukaseum and Sihavong said they do not condone the shooting or suggest other farmers take up guns to protect their crops.

"This particular situation was isolated," Sihavong said. "I don't think all the families carry firearms. They just don't really know how to deal with it."

Farm theft has been a problem in the islands for years, but many say it has only gotten worse. Nationwide, according to government statistics, stolen farm and construction equipment amounts to an estimated $1 billion in losses annually.

"This is a persistent problem," said state Sen. Melodie Aduja (D, Kaneohe), who attended last night's meeting. "What happened to Mr. Baccam is pretty much the catalyst to bringing this to the forefront. ... We will be looking at this problem."