By Lee Cataluna
Advertiser Columnist

Who knew there were so many safecrackers on O'ahu?

The Assistance League of Hawai'i put out a public request for help opening a very large safe found inside the organization's new community center.

The building on Kaheka street used to be the office of a bail bondsman; thus, there was much hopeful speculation about what might be inside the massive metal safe.

League volunteers were hoping to find a volunteer safecracker. They found 10, ranging from professional to, well, questionable.

Dot Mason, who heads the league's building committee, said one locksmith told her he had never seen a safe quite like this one. "He was so excited he went over and looked at the safe, then reported it is a 'cannonball-style' safe, built late-19th or early-20th century."

The locksmith took pictures of the 4-foot tall safe and sent the images to world-champion safecrackers (apparently there are safecracking tournaments) to get their mana'o on how to proceed.

Another man wanted to take the safe to a different location before trying to break it open, but Mason thinks he wasn't able to move the monstrosity, judging by the fact it was still there days after he said he'd come by.

A man with a voice Mason describes as "basso profundo" called one night from his cell phone. He was standing next to the safe and thought he could open it, but he wanted someone to come down and sign a paper giving him permission first. He said he had just gotten out of Leavenworth prison and didn't want to go back.

The Assistance League has no paid staff and is run totally by volunteers. They have numerous projects such as "Operation School Bell," which buys school clothes for needy children and "We Care," which provides teddy bears to children in crisis. If there was money in the safe, it could help the community.

As it turned out, the Assistance League didn't need a safecracker after all. One of the workers involved in remodeling the building said he saw the safe when it was opened and there was nothing in it.

Though it was disappointing news, the league members decided to focus on what WAS there. "Our PR committee decided that we would keep the thing as a symbol of our community center," Mason says. "We're calling it a 'safe place.' "

The league has moved into the building, though there is still some construction work being done. The grand opening will be next month. The safe won't be brought back into the building, though.

"It would ruin our floor ... I can't imagine that anyone will haul it away," Mason says. "It's just too big."

Reach Lee Cataluna at 535-8172 or lcataluna@honoluluadvertiser.com.