Sawt Falasteen - State Seeks Tips After Vandalism at Maui High Restroom Project

The state is seeking information about an act of vandalism at a Maui school that reportedly caused thousands of dollars in damage.

The state Department of Accounting and General Services announced Friday that, on late Wednesday or early Thursday, a construction site on the campus of Maui High School was vandalized.

Photographs of the vandalism show concrete blocks shattered, pallets of materials damaged and bricks knocked out of walls.

Diane Ako, communications officer for DAGS, told Aloha State Daily via email that full damage assessments are still pending, but the incident is thought to have caused “thousands of dollars in damage” and has delayed the project — a new bathroom for the school — by months.

Ako stated the original completion date for the project was scheduled to be Jan. 6 of next year, and that the original contract for the project was $1.09 million.

“Our contractor had been making great progress on this important project for our students and the community,” stated DAGS Director, state comptroller and Acting Lt. Gov. Keith Regan in a statement. “Now, due to this senseless act of vandalism, we will need to spend additional money and time to fix the damage, order more materials and restart the project."

DAGS is requesting that anyone with information about the incident contact the Maui Police Department.

In the meantime, Ako stated the contractor “is considering adding security to the site now.”

P.AbuBaker--SF-PST