There are conflicting reports over whether the Kohala Watershed Partnership is using aerial hunting during its current feral goat eradication efforts. However, the partnership, which is helping to restore native forests in the watershed above Pelekane Bay, denies using such a method.

Starting at 7 a.m. Monday, Cleon Bailey and Tony Sylvester, members of the county’s Game Management Advisory Commission, said they received several complaints from residents who witnessed a helicopter flying low over their homes to private ranch land on the north side of Kawaihae Road in Waimea. Following the appearance of the helicopter, they also heard rapid gun fire.

Some residents witnessed the helicopter dropping two men wearing orange hunting vests and armed with guns to various locations, where they shot goats and apparently left them to rot. Others reported seeing the same men allegedly shooting goats from inside the helicopter. The latter is illegal, Bailey said.

Federal and state laws prohibit hunting from airplanes or helicopters, unless the hunters have permits, which are typically reserved for government entities. State law makes aerial hunting a misdemeanor. In Hawaii County, there’s a law, established last year, that prohibits “any person to engage in the eradication of any animal for any reason while being transported by helicopter, airplane or any similar means.” Read the full story.

And here’s the latest in other neighbor isle gov’t and politics:

The State of Kauai County

UHH pharmacy school funding is in jeopardy

Water director: Drought canceled in Upcountry Maui

Hawaii County waste contract considered

Kona chocolate festival starts Thursday

Pan-STARRS 2 parts soon will come together

Kaiser Permanente plans rehab facility in Central Maui

Photo courtesy elPadawan.

—Chad Blair