He was also part of the black market ohia trade operating out of Puna, around Pohoiki road. Look around in Kona and see all the ohia log lanai's and other uses of ohia logs for their decorative appearance. These Mosha cult groups around Pahoa are also into smuggling different vegetation in, from places like Australia. It might have been something as innocent as bringing in some potted eucalyptus trees but Rapid Ohia Death started in a 1-mile radius of Pohoiki road over 3 years ago. It could have been contained but DLNR decided to just observe. It was funny/sad to see Ohia Rapid Death start showing up in Kona and nobody seemed to notice it was being spread by transport from Pahoa to Captain Cook via Highway 11. Ellis was cutting down ohia from State land to use for things like horse corrals, jungalows, fences, lanai posts, etc. It is easy to figure out who the partners were, just look up Hardwood businesses in Pahoa, there are at least 3. Where is there hardwood in Pahoa? Oh, well.