Posted on: Saturday, December 15, 2001

Thieves see season of giving as opportunity for stealing

By Will Hoover
Advertiser North Shore Writer

The historic Lili'uokalani Protestant Church and Cemetery in Hale'iwa has been hit with a new round of holiday thievery. After the theft of Christmas decorations and poinsettias last year, thieves entered the churchyard this week and stole a $3,500 rider lawnmower. Jeff Widener • The Honolulu Advertiser

Over the years, things have occasionally been lifted from the Lili'uokalani Protestant Church and cemetery in Hale'iwa. But the Christmas thieves are in a category all their own.

They strike during the holiday season. They're brazen.

"It all started last year," said church moderator Pat Sagon. "They stole decorated Christmas trees off the graves. They took all the big poinsettias from the cemetery. It happened several times."

The poinsettias alone cost up to $25 each, and the thieves took more than two dozen. Sagon thinks they were resold.

Now, she says, the Christmas thieves have returned. Early Tuesday, someone entered the churchyard and made off with a $3,500 riding lawnmower. Sagon, whose family has cared for the cemetery for decades, says the church will now have to make do with its one remaining riding mower to cover the large grassy ground.

"It'll take longer, but I'll bring in my push mower from home," said Sagon.

She suspects that the church may be getting robbed so often because it is right on the main drag. While the lawn and cemetery are wide open, the site is partially blocked from view by a large stone wall.

But she can't imagine why someone is taking so much during the season of giving.

"We try to help people," she said. "We have a pantry, and never turn anyone away if they need food. I was always taught never to take anything from a church. I couldn't even begin to think who would do this."

Sagon prays for whoever is stealing from the church.

"The kahu pono says to forgive them," said Sagon. "He teaches us if they steal from you, you pray for their souls. Sometimes that's not easy — but we're going to do it."