'Iolani School yesterday disclosed that the school administration placed a hidden video camera in the boys' locker room this month in an effort to thwart a rash of thefts.

School officials removed the camera Wednesday after members of the wrestling team found it mounted over an exit, a spokeswoman said. Several concerned parents and students called headmaster Val T. Iwashita after learning of the surveillance camera.

"We'll never do it again," said Cathy Lee Chong, director of communications for 'Iolani. "Our intention was to protect our students at all costs. We realize that even though a hidden surveillance camera is a legal method of surveillance, we must never jeopardize our students' privacy."

Police said they have not received a complaint about the use of the camera or the thefts.

The school set up the camera early this month, Chong said. It looked over an area where 14 thefts were reported over a two-week period in January.

Evidence from the tapes was used to mete out discipline to three seniors who were allegedly caught stealing in the locker room.

Only Iwashita and dean of students B. Tate Brown had access to the tapes. Chong said the tapes were reviewed only if a theft was reported. All tapes made during the three-week period have been destroyed, she said.

No other surveillance cameras were set up on campus, Chong said.

Reach Peter Boylan at pboylan@honoluluadvertiser.com.