HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-05-11 Thieves Steal Rescue Equipment from Fire Department at Isaac Hale Beach Park -- press release
Roy Takemoto
Managing Director
Harry Kim
Mayor
Barbara J. Kossow
Deputy Managing Director
County of Hawai‘i
Office of the Mayor
25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603 Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720 (808) 961-8211 Fax (808) 961-6553
KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokālole Hwy., Bldg C Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i 96740
(808) 323-4444 Fax (808) 323-4440
May 11, 2020
NEWS RELEASE
Hawai‘i Fire Department Rescue Equipment Stolen at Isaac Hale Beach Park
Thieves broke into a locked storage shed at Isaac Kepo‘okalani Hale Beach Park early
Monday morning, and stole Hawai‘i Fire Department equipment including a Polaris off-
road vehicle used to launch the park’s rescue water craft.
The theft occurred around 5:00 a.m., and a security guard just coming on duty
witnessed two males escaping on a Polaris 500 utility vehicle loaded with equipment,
according to the Fire Department.
The equipment included a Lifepack automated external defibrillator (AED), a Motorola
portable radio, a rescue paddle board, a spinal immobilization board and 200 feet of
heavy-duty rescue rope. The estimated value of the stolen equipment was $30,000.
The theft of the safety equipment takes away much-needed assets that assist the Fire
Department Ocean Safety Officers (lifeguards) in performing water rescues.
“Because of this theft, the beach park and Puna district lost the service of the Rescue
Water Craft -- which is priceless in saving lives at one of the most dangerous shore
breaks on the island,” Hawaii Fire Department Deputy Chief Lance Uchida said. “The
Polaris was used to launch the Ski at the beach park, and without the Ski, we put our
lifeguards in unneeded danger during water rescues.”
“We ask the public to please assist the police in finding the perpetrators,” Uchida said.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the Police non-
emergency number at 935-3311.
County of Hawai‘i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.