State wants 4 banned
from Big Isle property

The attorney general initiates
a civil action targeting an
alleged drug house near Hilo

HILO » Four Big Island residents would be barred from an alleged drug house under a court order sought by the state attorney general's office.

It would be the first use of the state "nuisance abatement" law by the attorney general on the Big Island, although the county prosecutor has used it at least twice before, and the state has used it four times before on Oahu and twice on Maui.

Prostitution and drug activity are among the "nuisances" that the law may be used against.

In the request for an order filed Friday, the attorney general seeks to have four people "perpetually" banned from a house on Oahu Road in Nanawale subdivision, south of Hilo. Drugs have been "manufactured at and distributed from" the house, a statement from the attorney general said.

Three search warrants were executed at the house by police in 2003 and 2004, the statement said.

Three people given notice of the action were identified as Debra Jean Lani, Donna Tarape and Lionel Tarape, the statement said. Notice to the fourth person is pending.

Once served, the individuals have 20 days to respond.

The action is a lawsuit, said Deputy Attorney General Mark Miyahira.

Because the four are not charged with a crime, the level of proof that the attorney general has to meet is lower than the standard in criminal cases, he said.

Miyahira said criminal charges are the responsibility of the county prosecutor, so he could not comment on possible criminal cases against the four.