Posted on: Friday, June 29, 2001

Playground burglary mobilizes community help

By Jessica Webster and James Gonser
Advertiser Staff Writers

Little rouses a community more than thieves stealing from children.

Following a playground burglary at a private nonprofit Headstart program housed at Barbers Point Elementary School, businesses and residents rallied yesterday and pledged nearly $6,500 to replace two jungle gyms, a merry-go-round, and a sandbox, all valued at $1,300.

"We were just so overwhelmed and very thankful for it," said teacher Chanelle Kaneshiro. "Our phone started ringing at 7 a.m. when we walked in the door, and it never stopped."

Mention of the incident on local morning radio shows after it appeared in yesterday's Advertiser immediately sparked donations. Disc jockeys at Star 101.9 raised $1,450 in 10 minutes, and Krater 96 gathered $2,200.

Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park donated $1,500 from yesterday's regular admission tickets. One resident personally bought a small play castle for the children. Henry Eng, community development manager for Campbell Estate, presented Barbers Point Elementary with a check for $1,300.

Roland Gella, director of Headstart in Hawai'i, said the program at Barbers Point will be able to replace all of its playground equipment and use a substantial amount of the money. Leftover money will probably be distributed to the other 80 Headstart centers on O'ahu, he said.