State conservation officers make arrests on road within Oprah Winfrey Ranch

Just before midnight on June 21, officers from the state of Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement stopped two men after observing them allegedly using a spotlight for hunting purposes.

This happened near the intersection of Thompson Road and Kamaʻole Road, in the Kula area of Upcountry Maui. Thompson Road is a public road that runs through private property owned by the Oprah Winfrey Ranch.

Luke Allen and Ty Munoz, both 19, of Upcountry Maui were arrested after being stopped. They were taken to the Maui Police station in Wailuku for booking. The case has been referred to the Maui County Prosecutors Office for review and charging.

DOCARE officers found a loaded shotgun and a loaded rifle in the pair’s truck. Further investigation revealed Allen and Munoz were hunting without valid licenses, had ammunition in the vehicle and were allegedly hunting on private land, at night, without permission. Officers say the rifle Allen had in his possession was unregistered.

Allen was arrested and booked for the following alleged violations of Hawai‘i Revised Statutes and Hawai‘i Administrative Rules:

• HRS 134-23(A) Place to keep loaded firearm other than pistol
• HRS 183D-21 Hunting License Required
• HRS 183D-27 Hunting on private lands at night without permission
• HRS 134-27(A) Place to Keep Ammunition
• HAR 13-123-7 Artificial Light Prohibited (for hunting with the use of artificial light)
• HRS 134-3 Registration Mandatory (for unregistered .22cal semi-automatic rifle)

Munoz was arrested and booked for the following alleged violations of Hawai‘i Revised Statutes and Hawai‘i Administrative Rules:

• HRS 134-23(A) Place to keep loaded firearm other than pistol
• HRS 183D-21 Hunting License Required
• HRS 183D-27 Hunting on private lands at night without permission
• HAR 13-123-7 Artificial Light Prohibited (for hunting with the use of artificial light)