CAPTAIN COOK — Alika Kinimaka had just gotten out of church on Christmas Day when he learned his family’s business in Captain Cook had been broken into and ransacked.
“They broke a picture of our mom, which was the most upsetting thing,” Kinimaka said Wednesday at Qina Girl Floral where he designs arrangements.
The suspects broke in through a bottom window. A few vases were also broken and the office area was trashed. Kinimaka thought it looked like they were looking for anywhere there might be money.
The suspect(s) only made out with a Bluetooth speaker and a cash register with $20 in it.
“They were just angry and wanted to make a mess,” Kinimaka said.
The floral shop was one of at least two other businesses that were damaged in Captain Cook. A vandalism report was also made on Sunday at Hope Chapel Kona located Makua Lani Christian Academy’s high school campus after seven windows were broken out and two buildings were spray painted. Nothing was stolen.
On Wednesday the school principal Sandy Butler was walking the grounds. She said the actions of the suspect(s) were “brazen.”
Despite the overwhelming damage, the church community came together and cleaned up the auditorium for Christmas Eve service.
Hawaii Police Maj. Robert Wagner said it looks like the perpetrators weren’t out to steal anything – “they were just out to damage things.”
“Just to happen is unusual,” Wagner said of the damage. “Random vandalism is unusual.”
At least two other businesses have reported damage done to their establishments on Christmas Day – Captain Cook Mini Mart and Fil-Am General Store.
Fil-Am General Store is located next to the floral shop. Again, there was damage to an outside window. However, on the other side, the window was blocked by shelves and a heavy desk, which the owner believes kept the suspects from making entry.
Cionie Mangayam, owner of the store, heard about the damage on Christmas morning.
“I was just shaking, crying,” she said.
When she came to her store to see the damage, Mangayam said, police were already there. She eventually learned her store suffered superficial damage.
“I was just very thankful,” she said Wednesday. “I definitely had angels watching over this store.”
Just a few miles down the road a police report of vandalism was taken at the Captain Cook Mini Mart. David Park, owner of the store, also discovered one of his windows was broken out on Christmas Day.
“I’m lucky they broke the small one,” Park said of the damage Wednesday.
Again, nothing was taken – just a rock through a window.
“I never thought of it happening here,” Park said. “This is a nice neighborhood and on Christmas Day. Unbelievable.”
Despite the break-in, Kinimaka said he prays for the suspect(s) because they are probably hurting.
“We’re just blessed no one was hurt and nothing of value was taken,” he added.
Anyone with information on the break-in and vandalisms should call the Hawaii Police Department at 935-3311.