Keolu not ready to accept plant offers

By Eloise Aguiar
Advertiser Windward O'ahu Writer

Offers to replace its vandalized trees are already being received at Keolu Elementary School, but principal Linda Kishimoto said she won't accept any new plants until a way can be found to protect them.

"It's just too demoralizing," she said, "especially for the kids because they took care of them."

Two people responded yesterday after reading an Advertiser story about the damage done to four palm trees during the weekend, the second incident of plant vandalism at the school in a year.

A worker in the Department of Education nursery called to offer plants that are raised by special education students. And Avery Jaena, a Village Park resident, also offered whatever the school needed. He has 60 Manila palms he raised from seedlings in his back yard.

"I thought we could do something for that school," said Jaena, 34. "I have a son who's in first grade, and he enjoys plants."

Kishimoto said this latest vandalism, which occurred one year to the month after seven palms and numerous plants were destroyed on the campus, shows how vulnerable the school is to destructive behavior.

"We really feel badly about this," Kishimoto said, adding that the trees were pulled down and snapped at the trunk. "It's senseless behavior by young people. I can't see older people doing this."

Kishimoto said she won't accept any offers to replace the plants until she can assure that they won't be ripped from the ground or damaged.

Kishimoto said perhaps heavy-duty protective fencing could be used, but she doubted that the school could afford that.

Police said they have no suspects. No arrest was ever made in the February 2001 case, and police said it is too soon to determine whether the two cases are related.

Reach Eloise Aguiar at eaguiar@honoluluadvertiser.com or 234-5266.