LIHUE — The thieves are at it again. That’s what Bob Jasper, tour guide at the Coco Palms Hotel, is saying. Fighting off vandals who want to rip out pieces of the iconic treasure of Kauai that went derelict after
LIHUE — The thieves are at it again.
That’s what Bob Jasper, tour guide at the Coco Palms Hotel, is saying.
Fighting off vandals who want to rip out pieces of the iconic treasure of Kauai that went derelict after Hurricane Iniki ravaged it in 1992 is an ongoing battle for him.
He’s caught plenty of folks in the act — some homeless and some he said thinks might be looking for a quick fix.
“It’s just so sad how it’s been treated by people,” Jasper said. “It breaks my heart.”
This time, the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney has their eye on Darren Dean White, 46, who it said burglarized Coco Palms on June 25 and — with the help of an accomplice — made off with copper wire.
White did not appear for a Tuesday hearing in the 5th Circuit Court before Judge Kathleen Watanabe on the state’s motion to increase bail.
Defense attorney Shauna Lee Cahill said White had no knowledge of the hearing and she wanted to schedule a continuance to connect with her client. His hearing was continued to Nov. 9.
The Kapaa man was indicted July 8 on charges of burglary in the second degree, possession of burglar’s tools, theft of copper, restriction on possession, sale, gift, or delivery of electric guns in connection to the reported June 25 theft.
While out on bail, the Kapaa man was allegedly caught Oct. 24 at Coco Palms attempting to steal more copper wire.
The state filed a motion to increase bail to $100,000 from $10,000, which includes a stay-away order for White because of his numerous attempts to return to the property.
The state says White was found by Kauai police officers with various tools and a stun gun in his pocket at the Coco Palms Hotel on June 25 after a call from Jasper.
Jasper said he’s seen White at Coco Palms multiple times.
According to court records, Jasper allegedly caught White trying to steal copper wire from Coco Palms while he was giving a tour of the property to visiting architects on Oct. 24.
After his arrest, White posted his $10,000 bail once again.
That case is set for a preliminary hearing in District Court at 1 p.m. Nov. 19.
The accomplice named in the July 8 indictment, Nicole Smith, is being held by KPD on $11,000 bail, said Prosecuting Attorney Justin Kollar.
Jasper said he just wants people to respect the sanctity of Coco Palms.
“It’s irritating,” he said. “Anybody going in there and disrespecting the place. It’s very difficult to keep it pretty like it was.”
And Jasper has a message for those folks who want to continue to disturb the property.
“You’re disrespecting it and disrespecting the monarchy,” Jasper said. “You should know better. You should have been taught better.”
