LAHAINA, Hawaii (KHON2) — Maui County started to install security cameras throughout Lahaina after a surge in thefts in fire-impacted areas.
Many people from Wahikuli to Shark Pit have reported their equipment, trailers, trucks and other materials have being stolen while trying to rebuild.
On Feb. 17, Lahaina resident Kekai Keahi posted a video on social media after his friends truck was stolen off Ainakea Road.
“His truck with all of his equipment, all his painting stuff just got stolen right now, he was inside the house working and they came and yanked his truck,” Keahi said in the video.
He said his friend has a fulltime job but is helping impacted Lahaina residents however he can.
Keahi went on to show where thieves had tried to steal an excavator from a home one block over from where the truck was stolen, and a few houses down from where his own trailer was stolen months ago.
Residents said theft had been happening since the fire, but now that the security blocks are gone, they are happening more often.
“We know lumber has been getting stolen, some properties been vandalized, someone broke someone’s wall down at Kahua Camp,” explained Jordan Ruidas of Lahaina Strong. “I think a lot of people are just so broken down they don’t go live [on social media] and talk about it, but it’s definitely been happening two to three times a week if that at the least.”
The community asked the county for help and last week the county began installing security cameras in key, high-risk areas to deter crime.
Lahaina resident Roland Tanner started a small neighborhood watch to help his neighbors.
“And it helped, but we need more people out there, I have like four guys helping me right now on patrol,” he said. “Now with materials here, it’s getting out of hand.”
With a full time job he said he does patrols when he can, but he said the thieves target day and night and he even caught one in a portable toilet one day.
He said he hopes the new cameras will assist MPD, but he admits the whole situation has been difficult since most of the people stealing are his own community members who have been struggling and taking a different path.
“That’s one question I wish I never had to say yeah to, but yeah it is our own people, our own locals,” Tanner said.
“A lot of people are having a lot of difficulties since the fire, people are struggling, so it is hard when it’s people of your own community so we try and give them grace but it does hurt in a different way when community is stealing from community,” Ruidas explained.
Roland and Lahaina Strong have received some donations — including security cameras and motion detectors which are used to help residents who are close to moving back home feel safe again.
“We are trying our best, and everyone’s suggestion is a plus and I know MPD is trying their best, but we have to do our part and work together,” Tanner added.
Tanner is looking for help with patrols and can be reached via the Lahaina Strong group or on Facebook.
A donation link of needed security items can be found here and all donations will be shipped straight to Lahaina and Tanner will put up the donations where needed until all of Lahaina can feel safe and secure once again.