Remains exhumed during archaeological work at Kawaiaha’o Church were intentionally set on fire earlier this month, police say.

The incident has been classified as "abuse of a corpse," police spokesman Caroline Sluyter said Friday.

The fire was discovered on the morning of Oct. 10 at a dig at the church’s historic cemetery. The archaeological work is being done ahead of construction of a foundation for a multipurpose center.

In an emailed statement, church officials said the remains in the grave had been covered with a paper cushion and plywood.

"Nothing of this nature has occurred during the more than three years the project site has been in existence," church officials said.

The Rev. Curt Kekuna of Kawaiaha’o Church said the congregation and clergy were saddened by the harm and also worried that the fire could have destroyed the church.

"The fact that the malicious fire affected the remains of presumably one of our church’s earlier members has caused a great deal of pain for all of us at Kawaiahao," Kekuna said.

Kawaiaha’o Church, built in 1842, was frequently a place of worship by Hawaiian royalty.

In January, Circuit Judge Karl Sakamoto denied a preliminary injunction against native Hawaiians who wanted the church to provide an archaeological inventory before developing the multipurpose center.

Church officials said they have increased security and repaired a construction fence damaged in the incident.

The church said the vandalism was discovered by the archaeological contractor, Cultural Resources Hawaii.