Hawaii County police investigate vandalism to playground trees
In this photo dated March 6, 2012 and provided by Cheryl Langton, trees are seen at a playground after they were stripped of their bark in Kamuela, Hawaii. Big Island police are investigating an unusual vandalism that left seven mature trees stripped of their bark. Police say the 18-year-old trees at Waimea's Anuenue Playground seem to have been vandalized over the weekend. There are no leads or suspects. (AP Photo/Cheryl Langton)
In this photo dated March 6, 2012 and provided by Cheryl Langton, trees are seen at a playground after they were stripped of their bark in Kamuela, Hawaii. Big Island police are investigating an unusual vandalism that left seven mature trees stripped of their bark. Police say the 18-year-old trees at Waimea's Anuenue Playground seem to have been vandalized over the weekend. There are no leads or suspects. (AP Photo/Cheryl Langton)
Hawaii County police are investigating an unusual vandalism that left seven mature trees stripped of their bark.
Police say the 18-year-old trees at Waimea’s Anuenue Playground seem to have been vandalized over the weekend. There are no leads or suspects.
West Hawaii Today said a resident contacted the Waimea Outdoor Circle after finding the damage Monday. Outdoor Circle President Cheryl Langton says the loss of the bark will likely kill the trees, two of which are native koa. She says peeling off bark interferes with a tree’s health.
The group planted 64 donated trees at the playground in 1994 to provide shade.
Langton filed a police report Tuesday.
Police say the investigation is hampered by not having a monetary value for the damaged trees.
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