HILO, Hawai'i — The Hawai'i County Council has voted in favor of keeping more than $500,000 in federal anti-marijuana grants in next year's budget.

Big Island council approves anti-marijuana grantThe decision comes despite opposition from some local residents to marijuana-eradication efforts and an earlier vote by the council rejecting federal grant money from this year's budget.

Many residents say the low-flying helicopter missions that are part of the program invade privacy and disrupt rural life. Critics also say it has done little to eradicate marijuana and has even promoted use of drugs such as crystal methamphetamine.

But Big Island police say if they don't administer the program, the federal government could take over. And they say federal authorities are not subject to restrictions on searches that bind local police.