North Kona's councilman is angry enough to resign his post after the state Department of Land and Natural Resources made a move he says disrespects and disregards the Hawaii County Council's authority.

Kelly Greenwell yesterday expressed concerns over the decision by the DLNR to go ahead with a planned feral cattle hunt, despite a council resolution that passed first reading earlier this month asking the department not to shoot the animals on the state forest reserve property on Hualalai.

"I don't like the blatant disrespect by the DLNR," he said. "The county doesn't have force of law over the state. They have chosen to completely ignore (the resolution)."

DLNR confirmed that the helicopter hunt yesterday was the department's operation. Division of Forestry and Wildlife Hawaii Island Branch Manager Roger Imoto told West Hawaii Today in February that no one would be permitted to access the Honuaula Forest Reserve during the hunt because no public access road or pathway exists.

Greenwell is worried that hikers — who aren't permitted into the forest reserve, but who sometimes go there anyway — might be caught in the crossfire.

Residents near Palani Ranch reported the helicopter hunt began yesterday morning, with rapid fire shots that "sounded like Vietnam,"the councilman added.

The disregard for the resolution, coupled with a state senator walking out on him and other council members a few weeks ago and perceived disregard for the county's financial and healthcare situations, has left Greenwell considering resigning his council post.

"If they're not willing to work with us, then we're wasting our time," he said. "It's so distracting to me, but we've got things to do. ... I think we should boycott the whole damn government system."