KAILUA-KONA — Police increased patrols in Waimea after the discovery of a vandalism spree that resulted in more than $10,000 in damage.
“It’s just a destruction of property,” said Capt. Sherry Bird with the Hawaii Police Department.
Bird said the vandalism occurred overnight Nov. 8. The most severe damage was done to the restroom at the Waimea Park Bandstand, where at least one toilet and sink were smashed. The surrounding area outside the bathroom also was trashed.
Because of the destruction, the facility is closed until it can be repaired. While vandalism occurred at several locations in town, Bird said nothing appeared to be stolen.
Waimea Elementary School and Waimea Middle School also were victims of vandalism. Janice English, middle school principal, said three windows were damaged at the new Science Technology Engineering Aina Math building.
The double-paned windows were smacked repeatedly with rocks, causing them to splinter. The cost to repair them, English said, is $1,000 each.
There also were four screens ripped out of windows on portable buildings.
The chaos didn’t stop at the middle school. There was a mess discovered at the elementary school, where preschool toys and signs were overturned and a lock to a shed was broken. Nothing was taken.
The principal said it will take six weeks for the windows to be repaired. The school also plans to add $20,000 worth of interior and exterior surveillance cameras on campus.
There also were other smaller instances of vandalism throughout Waimea on Nov. 8, which included broken building and car windows.
Patti Cook, president of the Waimea Community Association, recalled broken windows and messes caused in various places along Mamalahoa Highway and Kawaihae Road.
Cook said broken windows were found at the Firehouse Gallery at Waimea Arts Council and Habitat for Humanity’s Waimea ReStore. The back window of a van was smashed at the Lily Yoshimatsu Senior Center. Cook said the vehicle is used to assist kupuna in transportation.
Cook added the culprits rifled through items on the St. James thrift shop porch and turned the table over.
Two portable toilets also were turned over in the Waimea Nature Park.
The door to Village Burger at Parker Ranch Center had two scratches. According to police, it appeared to be made with a pry bar.
More recently, Bird said a vehicle by the post office had its window damaged.
“I’m not aware of a series of property damage of this greatness in such a short amount of time,” Bird said. “Everyone is disappointed that someone would do this. It’s sad that someone would do this.”
Cook added she got news of vandalism on Oct. 17 when someone sent her a picture of a damaged sign at North Hawaii Community Hospital.
Cook said the damage done to the town is heartbreaking.
Anyone with information or tips about the vandalism can call police at 935-3311.
Email Tiffany DeMasters at tdemasters@westhawaiitoday.com.