Hawaiʻi Police Department
South Kohala District
Captain Sherry D. Bird
Phone: (808) 887-3080
Report no.: 20-062626
Media Release
Hawaiʻi Island Police are requesting the public’s assistance in identifying individual(s) responsible for removing a backpack containing camera equipment from the Kalahuipuaʻa Historical Park (commonly known as Mauna Lani Historical Park) on Sunday, August 16, 2020.
On Tuesday, August 18, 2020, the victim reported to officers that he visited the Mauna Lani Historical Beach Park in the Mauna Lani Resort area in Waikoloa on Sunday, August 16, 2020. While using the shower facility, the victim placed his black-colored backpack which contained camera equipment in an area away from the shower, to avoid getting the equipment wet. The victim left the beach park a short time later and realized the following morning that he forgot to retrieve his backpack. After checking with resort security and the police department, it was determined the backpack and contents had not been turned in. Upon reviewing video surveillance footage, it was determined that on August 16, 2020, at approximately 6:00 p.m., the backpack and contents were removed by individuals who appeared to be associated together and left the beach parking lot in two separate vehicles: a silver-colored Toyota 4Runner and a dark-colored four-door Honda sedan (photos are attached). The 4Runner appears to have a “Big Island Toyota” emblem on the toe hitch, has racks mounted on the roof, and the front and rear license plates are obscured with license plate covers.
Officers are requesting the community’s assistance with identifying the vehicles’ license plates and/or the operators/occupants of the described vehicles in hopes of being able to return the property back to its’ rightful owner. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact South Kohala Community Policing Officer Kelena Hookano at (808) 887-3080 or via email at Kelena.Hookano@hawaiicounty.gov or the police department’s non-emergency number at (808) 935-3311.
