The figures are from a survey of 1,127 farmers statewide conducted in June by the Hawai'i Field Office of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service. About 80 percent of the farmers responded.

Farmers have complained for years that more needs to be done to protect their farms. The latest data will help to develop better protection measures, said Sandra Lee Kunimoto, chairperson of the Hawai'i Board of Agriculture.

"Until now, there was no source of reliable data or statistics that could define the size and scope of the problem," Kunimoto said in a news release.

The losses were higher than expected, said Dean Okimoto, who owns and operates Nalo Farms in Waimanalo. Okimoto said he was glad the numbers are out so the public better understands the problem farmers face.

"It surprised me that it was that high," said Okimoto, president of the Hawai'i Farm Bureau Federation. "But I do know there's been several farmers over the last couple of years that have gone under, out of business, because of ag theft."

Okimoto said farmers will be working with the Legislature to implement laws with stiffer penalties and longer jail time for repeat offenders.

"When we talk to police they say it's due to ice problems," he said. "It plays a major role in all kinds of thefts."

BIG CHUNK OF INCOME

The total costs of crime, including preventive security, represent 9 percent of Hawai'i's 2004 net farm income of $122 million estimated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service.

You Soukaseum, owner of five farms in Kahuku, Waimanalo and Punalu'u, said that "last year I lost more than $100,000." That included the theft of a $20,000 tractor and $22,000 in damage to a warehouse that was deliberately set on fire.

To prevent more loss, he's hired security at night, he said. "I pay $1,500 a month."

Alan Takemoto, executive director of the Hawai'i Farm Bureau Federation, said the statistics will help the federation, the state and federal agencies develop programs to help farmers, such as cost-effective ways to reduce risk.

Reach Eloise Aguiar at eaguiar@honoluluadvertiser.com.