Makiki District Park canceled an upcoming free holiday event with children’s games, crafts and entertainment after a recent copper wire theft shut down the electrical system.

Makiki Mele Kalikimaka was scheduled to be held from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday at the park, 1527 Keeaumoku St.

Hawaiian Electric Co. conducted an investigation after the theft was discovered at the park at 11:14 a.m. Nov. 25. A HECO meter reader reported the missing wires to HECO security officers.

They conducted an investigation and determined the cut wires were part of the electrical system owned by the city, according to spokesman Darren Pai. The investigation was turned over to Honolulu police.

Makiki complex supervisor Susan Yamasaki said this is the first time this type of theft occurred at the park.

City spokeswoman Louise Kim McCoy said a lock to an outdoor utility box was apparently cut to gain access to copper wires. Another lock to a door that leads to the transformer vault in the basement of the park’s arts and crafts building also was cut where the thief or thieves pulled out more wires.

How much copper wiring was stolen was not immediately clear.

The staff shut down electricity to the park for safety reasons. About 10 park personnel will be temporarily relocated to a site to be determined.

The park’s swimming pool was unaffected and remains open to the public.

This is the second year in a row the park staff was forced to cancel the holiday event. Yamasaki said Makiki Mele Kalikimaka was canceled last year due to furloughs, which affected the time to plan the event.