Posted on: Tuesday, February 26, 2002

More trees vandalized at Keolu Elementary

By Eloise Aguiar
Windward O'ahu Writer

KAILUA — A year after seven palm trees were destroyed at Keolu Elementary School, the campus has fallen victim to vandals again. This weekend, four palm trees, replacements for those destroyed a year ago this month, were knocked down or snapped off at the base.

"The kids are pretty saddened," said Kalei Mahaulu, a counseling aide for the Primary School Adjustment Project. "They nurtured the trees when they were first planted."

The trees were saplings donated by several nurseries after last year's vandalism, Mahaulu said, and were planted outside A-Building, where kindergarten and first-graders have classes.

The school principal, Linda Kishimoto, who couldn't be reached for comment, discovered the vandalism Sunday and reported it to police. Police said the destruction took place between 4:30 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. Sunday.

Last February, Keolu students returning from a weekend were stunned to see trees slashed and numerous ti plants and bushes destroyed. Witnesses told police they saw three males and a female arrive on campus with a machete and ax.

Kailua has had several cases of plant destruction in the past year, including tree poisonings at Alala Point lookout at the entrance to Lanikai in January 2001, at Ka'elepulu Elementary School in April and at Kailua District Park in August.