LEKELEKE — Vandals hit Lekeleke Burial Grounds in recent days, spray-painting rocks and littering at the historic site south of Keauhou.
Bright purple, teal, red and white paint rendered into illegible graffiti now mar the rocks along the shoreline traversed by residents and visitors alike as they check out the area more commonly known as “End of the World.” The burial grounds are where 300 warriors who fell in the Kuamoo Battle of 1819 are interred.
David Baldwin said he was devastated when he came across the vandalism and piles of spray paint cans during his Friday “morning patrol” with his dog, Elvis.
“They attacked a very special place, and when we walked up to that it literally took the air out of my lungs. I felt weak. I was so upset,” said Baldwin, who has been coming to the area for decades including the last 10 years with Elvis.
Baldwin is pretty sure the tagging happened Thursday night as he doesn’t remember seeing it Wednesday morning. And while tagging has occurred before, it hasn’t been in the burial area.
“It is such a special place, and we do have tourists that go there,” he said. “It is a horrible reflection on us, on what we believe here as people who live here.”
Shortly after finding the vandalism, Baldwin posted photos to the Facebook group Big Island Popo Alert with the comment: “Sad Day in Keauhou! We need reward money to find these punks.”
Within minutes, a firestorm erupted with comments ranging from disgust and finding ways to remove the graffiti to threats against the perpetrators.
“I swear, is nothing untouched anymore!????!!! What has happened to our sweet little Kailua-Kona???? I want to turn back the clock, at least 25 years, none of this,” wrote Christine O’gorman-Embernate.
Added Chris Jr Salinas, “very sacred place out there! this is sad, shame on these punks, need to break those fingers and hands!”
So upset by the graffiti, Baldwin is asking others to match a reward he is offering dollar for dollar. Those interested in taking part in Baldwin’s effort should message him via Facebook.
“I would like to find this, hopefully, young punk and put him on the right track,” he said.
The Hawaii Police Department said Friday it had not received a report about the graffiti. Baldwin said he planned to file one. The land is owned by Bishop Estate, the trust that funds Kamehameha Schools.
“We are saddened to hear of this reprehensible act committed at a site which is rich in history and which holds deep, significant meaning to the Native Hawaiian culture and people. We appreciate Mr. Baldwin sounding the alert and we intend to take steps necessary to rectify this terrible action,” said Kamehameha spokeswoman Crystal Kua.