Vandals kill grass at
Kauai golf course

Kauai police are investigating the recent defacement of seven greens at the Wailua Golf Course.

The greens, most of them close to Kauai's main thoroughfare, Kuhio Highway, were sprayed with a herbicide, killing patches of grass and leaving discolorations. Some of the areas were sprayed to spell derogatory comments about Ed Okamoto, the public golf course administrator.

"It was done to be personal, but I did not take it personally," said Okamoto. The damage "basically affected the golf community more than they hurt me."

The course remained open despite the vandalism. Course officials have yet to determine the amount of damage.

Okamoto said the incident happened a week ago but looks worse now.

He and his staff are deciding whether to let the herbicide run its course or to take action to prevent further damage.

He noted that only the aesthetics of the course have been damaged, but added that if the grass continues to die, the thatch underneath could wear thin and affect golfers' games.

Golfer Jerry Crosby of Princeville said the greens are now "like putting on asphalt" because of the damage.

That did not stop him from taking advantage of the public course.

"Golfers play no matter what," said Crosby. "It's still the best deal on island."

As for possible suspects, Okamoto said he and his staff were providing police with information, and they would "let the police do their work."