LIHU‘E — The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney on Tuesday filed charges against two men in a case of alleged theft of rocks and damage to a cultural preserve in Po‘ipu on Kauai’s South Shore. “This is the first case
LIHU‘E — The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney on Tuesday filed charges against two men in a case of alleged theft of rocks and damage to a cultural preserve in Po‘ipu on Kauai’s South Shore.
“This is the first case (of rock theft), I believe, that has ever been prosecuted in the state,” said Koloa resident Theodore Blake, who has been pushing for prosecution of those stealing rocks from heiau and other cultural sites.
Roland Sagum III, a former state representative for Kaua‘i’s Westside, turned himself in on a warrant for theft in the second degree, a class C felony, for his alleged involvement in taking rocks from a historic preserve and heiau site, according to a press release from OPA.
Another warrant has been issued for the arrest of Lealiki Koli for theft in the second degree and criminal property damage in the second degree, both class C felonies, concerning the same incident.
“Our office takes the protection of our island’s cultural and historic resources very seriously,” Prosecuting Attorney Justin Kollar said in the press release. “We ask the public to please honor these resources and preserve them for future generations.”
The land where the theft alleged occurred is owned by Kukui‘ula Development Company and maintained by the Royal Order of Kamehameha I, OPA states.
Several truckloads of rocks, valued at approximately $6,000, were allegedly removed from the property between June 27 and July 4, 2011, and were reportedly to be used to build a rock wall on Sagum’s property, according to OPA.
The charges also alleged that mechanical equipment was improperly used at the preserve, causing an estimated $7,000 in damages, according to OPA. A cultural survey has been done to determine the extent of the damage to the historic site.
“Everybody talks about how important our culture is,” said Blake, adding that Po‘ipu is one of the richest cultural and archaeological sites in the state. But Po‘ipu also some of the best rocks — full of pukas, or holes — on Kaua‘i for rockwalls, he said.
Blake said there is another case in Po‘ipu where thieves “ripped off $11,000 worth of rocks” from the Historic Hapa Trail in the middle of the night in August 2011.
Theft of rocks is apparently not confined to Kaua‘i’s South Shore. Blake said it’s a problem on every Hawaiian island.
Sagum will be arraigned Thursday and is being represented by attorney Craig De Costa. Second Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Rebecca Vogt is representing the state.
• Léo Azambuja, staff writer, can be reached at 245-0452 or lazambuja@ thegardenisland.com.
