Top law enforcement officials and Honolulu's mayor last night urged farmers not to give up on them and to work together to fight the serious problem of agriculture theft.

About 60 farmers attended a special meeting to discuss thefts from farms and the lack of success in apprehending and prosecuting the thieves. The event was held at the city's downtown Mission Memorial Auditorium and was sponsored by Mayor Mufi Hannemann. Prosecutor Peter Carlisle and Honolulu police officials also attended.

Everyone last night acknowledged that agriculture theft is a big problem, costing farmers millions of dollars each year. But those at the meeting also agreed that most of the thefts go unreported, and several farmers said that is because they aren't satisfied with the response they get from the police.

One man, who did not give his name, said he has had problems at his Kahuku farm and a lunchwagon, which someone set on fire recently. He said he had to do much of the investigation because police didn't send a detective to follow up on the case.

"We had to do everything ourselves," the man said.

Sabrina Fajardo Swift, a farm safety coordinator with the University of Hawai'i, said one problem is the language barrier between police and many farmers who are immigrants and don't speak English. Swift said police should have officers or interpreters available to deal with these farmers.

"Many are tired of calling police," said Swift, who added that these farmers aren't comfortable when dealing with police.

Police Maj. Susan Dowsett, Windward District commander, said there have been only three reports of thefts in the district this month and that she knows there have been more incidents. She promised the farmers that officers will do more to work with them, but that nothing can be done if the thefts aren't reported.

Carlisle said new laws have made agriculture theft a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. But he told the farmers that no one will go to jail if the crimes aren't reported.

He also reminded the group that they should not take the law into their own hands. His office is prosecuting Kahuku farmer Khamxath Baccam, who is accused of shooting to death a man whom Baccam believed was stealing from his farm.

Baccam attended last night's meeting but would not comment on his case. He said after the meeting that he was there to see if there were any updates on farm thefts and he was also there to support his fellow farmers.

Hannemann said he will hold several more meetings in rural O'ahu to work with farmers to come up with solutions.

"This is a fresh start at an old problem," Hannemann said. "You need to get involved. You can't be cynical."

Prasong Hsu's father owns farms in Kahuku and Waimanalo, and he held up a folder filled with police reports over the past 20 years. In all those incidents, Hsu said, only one case has been solved.

But he said he felt last night's meeting will produce some positive results.

"I think it'll help. The mayor and the prosecutor and the police, they heard us and they will really look at this now," Hsu said.

Reach Curtis Lum at culum@honoluluadvertiser.com.