Vandals damage comfort station at Kamalani Kai

The newly opened “south comfort station” at Kamalani Kai is already closed for repairs.

Vandals spray-painted the facility last weekend and Tuesday afternoon. County Parks workers have closed it to the public for an undetermined period of time to fix a broken sewer line.

Brown and red symbols and statements were painted across the walls, sinks and mirrors in the men’s room, and the ladies’ room had a few explicit scrawlings. County workers said they scrubbed off the mirrors and sinks so people could still use the facilities but the restrooms will now be closed until a broken sewer line is fixed.

In a separate incident recently at Lydgate Beach Park, a 60-year-old retired woman was reportedly assaulted by a group of about 10 while trying to use the restroom located near the lifeguard stand.

Barbara, who is from Nevada, worked in law enforcement in the 1980s and moved here last February.

Barbara said she was near Lydgate at about 1 a.m. and had to use the bathroom due to a health-related disability.

She got out of her minivan and then noticed about 15 vehicles lined up on both sides of the road and a group of young adults joined by a woman who looked to be in her 40s, partying at the beach. Barbara said she didn’t realize she stumbled into their party until her eyes adjusted to the light. Before she could get to the restroom, they wrangled her keys from her, she said.

“They decided to take my car, and they did a hell of a lot of damages to it. They shoved me down in the dirt three or four times,” Barbara said. Her 1995 van, previously unmarred, was scraped along the right side from driving against a boulder; a headlight and tail light were broken; and duct tape holds the side window in place.

Eventually, she got to the pay phone at the main pavilion and called 9-1-1. Some of the kids dispersed, but a bunch stayed behind.

Barbara said the group tried to overturn her vehicle by kicking it and that police later looked at the shoe prints along the side panel.

“I really have been scared since then,” she said.

Police records alleged that Barbara had run into an object near the Wailua Golf Course and was picked up for driving under the influence, but an investigation was never conducted because a criminal assault wasn’t reported.

“The (Kamalani Kai) south comfort station- that’s minor compared to Niumalu,” said Mel Nishihara, Parks and Recreation Administrator. He mentioned that the county may have to control hours or get community groups involved with self-policing and reporting suspicious activity.

Earlier this year at Niumalu Park, vandals broke sinks, toilets and bathroom stalls. After repairs were completed April, this month the restrooms were damaged again, Nishihara said.

“I don’t know if that’s the answer, security at every beach park. They were talking about putting in security once the camping area by Kamalani Bridge opens, but when you talk about security, what can they do, really? Can one man do that job? Can one or two or three control 20 kids?” Nishihara asked.

Numerous county parks and neighborhood centers have been reported vandalized since late April. It looked like someone took a sledgehammer to a concrete bench at Kalaheo Neighborhood Center on April 22. On April 28, the Kalaheo Missionary Church reported broken windows. Someone broke a window at Kilauea School on April 29.

There are five known reports from May 1: The Kaua’i Food Bank’s soda machine; a restroom at Hanapepe tennis courts; the KPD’s new loader at the Kipu target range; and Hanapepe Heights park restroom. Four post office boxes were broken into the weekend of May 1 or 2. On May 5, the restroom near Kamalani Playground was destroyed.

May 6, the Kaua’i High School library was damaged. May 8, the front office glass doors at Kapa’a High and Kapa’a Middle School were smashed in.

County parks and schools haven’t been the only casualties, as a number of Lihu’e businesses have been targeted recently.

May 6, the glass door of Bank of Hawaii on Rice Street was broken. The incident was discovered by a Lihu’e patrol officer doing routine checks in the area and rocks about 4-10 inches in diameter were found at the scene. Later that morning, windows were broken with bricks at Territorial Savings and Loan in the Kukui Grove shopping complex.

In the early morning hours of Saturday, May 11, the glass doors of Star Market at Kukui Grove Shopping Center were broken, possibly using shopping carts.

“Vandalism is a thoughtless crime. Those committing these acts need to realize that what they are doing is not just affecting the businesses they target. These acts have an effect on their neighbors and families as well,” said Mayor Bryan Baptiste in a written statement issued Tuesday.

Whether vandalism and the alleged assaults are related, the county does not have a clear plan for securing parks like Kamalani, which is still under construction, with many areas hidden from view and not very well lit.

“It is now up to the community to be part of the solution. When we have strong communities, then and only then will we be able to address these problems,” Baptiste’s statement continued, thanking Lihu’e Business Association moderator Curtis Tom for his efforts.

“The pattern indicates that these crimes will continue to escalate,” Tom wrote in an e-mail message sent to Lihu’e-area businesses and residents. He promised to help raise awareness in the community and assist the KPD in arresting the criminals.

“KPD cannot do it alone. We will need to help them identify vehicles and suspects. Please keep your eyes and ears open and have your employees do the same,” Tom continued.

KPD detectives did not return telephone calls about recent reports of vandalism, but the patrol division has volunteered to step up around Lihu’e and other areas recently hit.

Kaua’i residents are asked to call Crime Stoppers at 241-1887 if they witness crimes or have information.