The theft of $24,785 worth of equipment from the West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery in March has resulted in a fundraiser and an outreach effort by Hawaii County Police as they continue to search for the culprits.
The theft of $24,785 worth of equipment from the West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery in March has resulted in a fundraiser and an outreach effort by Hawaii County Police as they continue to search for the culprits.
The incident occurred sometime between 2 p.m. March 12 and 8:30 a.m. March 13 at the cemetery located on Queen Kaahumanu Highway between mile markers 88 and 89, across from the Kua Bay entrance in North Kona.
Former West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery Association president John Grogan said when the theft occurred, someone had opened the gate using a combination and then unlocked the storage area, which required a key. Grogan said whoever opened the chain-linked fence must have had a key to do so.
Items stolen include a Trail King dual-axle trailer valued at $17,995, which was recovered in Waimea on April 16. Lt. Gerald Wike with the police department said the trailer had been damaged, but declined to comment on what that damage was exactly.
Other stolen items include a small electric water pump with a metal pressurized tank valued at $600, a red Honda four-stroke weed trimmer valued at $700, a white-and-reddish-orange Stihl backpack blower valued at $500, a Solo backpack sprayer with a clear tank valued at $100, two gas-powered lawn edgers valued at $300 each, two pop-up tents valued at $200 each, a deep-cycle battery valued at $400, and other assorted tools and equipment.
The case is being investigated as a first-degree theft.
The incident was felt as a low-blow to members of West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery Association.
Awapuhi HuiHui-Graffe, a member of the cemetery association, said she hopes the police department and the community get involved and that the items are returned.
“Someone has a load of brand new tents and chairs. And it’s an island, they’re not going anywhere,” she said. “The reason we have these things is for our kupuna. We want chairs for them to sit on, not have them sit in the sun. This is hurting a generation of people who go up there to enjoy events we have.”
This weekend, Graffe and other association members will be attending a fundraiser at the Elks Lodge in an attempt to raise money for the stolen items.
Spearheaded by Rep. Cindy Evans, D-Kohala, North Kona, the event will last from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday and tickets will be sold at the door. Donations are welcomed. Tickets include a hot-dog bar and chili lunch.
Evans said when she first heard the news she got in contact with the Elks in Kona to see if they would consider donating a venue for a fundraiser. They agreed and she then began working with people in Honolulu for donations. One Oahu veteran donated all the food for the event, she said, that way all the money raised will go toward the cemetery.
She also invited various active military, Army, Marine, Navy and Air Force members on Oahu and on the Big Island.
Grogan said they’ve raised $8,500 of the $10,000 goal so far.
The original estimated cost of the stolen items was said to be $10,000. The latest estimate from the Hawaii Police Department was $24,785.
Grogan said the Memorial Day services at the cemetery, that usually attracts about 400 people, will go on this year despite the incident.
Anyone with information about the theft or the location of any of the items should call the department’s nonemergency line at 935-3311 or contact Detective Sean Smith at 326-4646, ext. 262, or email sean.smith@hawaiicounty.gov.
Those who prefer to remain anonymous may call the islandwide Crime Stoppers number at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.