Former lawmaker pleads not guilty in theft of heiau rocks

Former state Rep. Roland Sagum III pleaded not guilty to a theft charge at his arraignment today. (Kauai Police Department mugshot)

Lealiki Koli (Courtesy Kauai Police Department)

This undated photo shows the heiau site where police say rocks were stolen to build a wall on the property of former Kauai State Rep. Roland Sagum III. (Courtesy photo)

Former State Rep. Roland Sagum III pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Thursday to a theft charge involving rocks allegedly taken from a heiau in Poipu. 

Sagum is expected to appear at Fifth Circuit Court Monday before Judge Kathleen Watanabe to schedule a trial date, according to his attorney, Craig De Costa. 

The Kauai County prosecutor’s office charged Sagum with second-degree theft involving rocks allegedly taken from a heiau located on a 15-acre archaeological site. The offense is considered a Class C felony that carries a maximum of five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. 

Lealiki Koli, the second man charged in the rock theft, turned himself in to police Wednesday night. He was released after he posted bail of $2,000, according to county spokeswoman Sarah Blane. 

Koli’s arraignment is scheduled to be held on March 19. 

He is reportedly is the contractor who allegedly used heavy equipment to take rocks from the heiau to build a rock wall on Sagum’s property. Koli was charged with second-degree theft and second-degree criminal property damage. 

Truckloads of rocks with an estimated value of $6,000 were allegedly taken between June 27 and July 4, 2011. Damage to the site was estimated at $7,000.