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A DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement marine patrol unit spotted several people who appeared to be picking ‘opihi Saturday along the Ali‘i Drive shoreline in Kailua-Kona.

The marine patrol officers relayed their observations to officers on shore, who were on patrol in the area. Officers on land approached 54-year-old Theodore Benedicto and 47-year-old Tracy Benedicto, both of Pahoa, and did a routine inspection of their catch.

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The pair was found to be in possession of 144 undersized ‘opihi and were issued citations. They were summoned to appear May 15 in Kona District Court.

All the undersized ‘opihi were alive and in good condition. The suspects were directed to place them face down in a tide pool along the shoreline, where they will have a higher chance of reattaching and surviving.

DOCARE Chief Jason Redulla said this case as an important reason for marine patrol units, which are now on Oahu, Maui, Kauai and Hawaii Island.

“The perspective officers get from the ocean is entirely different than what land-based officers may be seeing,” Redulla said in a press release.

Also on Saturday, DOCARE officers approached a separate subject picking ‘opihi along the Ali‘i Drive shoreline and inspected his catch.

James Kanuha, 60, of Kailua-Kona was cited after being observed in possession of 156 undersized ‘opihi.

His court appearance was set for May 8 in Kona District Court.

Kanuha also was instructed to return the ‘opihi to a tide pool.

Officers also discovered Kanuha had a bench warrant for contempt of court for failing to appear in a previous ‘opihi-related case in 2023 in which he also picked undersized ‘opihi.

Officers confirmed Kanuha’s warrant, arrested him, and he was transported to the Kona Police Station, where he was booked.

He posted $250 bail and was released.