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Former state Rep. Roland Sagum III has been charged with allegedly taking rocks from a 15-acre archaeological preserve in Poipu, Kauai, in 2011.
The Kauai County prosecutor’s office charged Sagum with second-degree theft involving rocks allegedly taken from a site adjacent to Prince Kuhio Park, the birthplace of Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole.
Sagum, who posted bail after he recently turned himself in to police, is scheduled to be arraigned Thursday morning at Kauai Circuit Court. Sagum’s attorney, Craig De Costa, could not be reached for comment.
Sagum, 58, represented state House District 16 (Poipu-Niihau) from 2006 to 2010, when he was defeated in the Democratic primary by Dee Morikawa.
Another warrant has been issued for Lealiki Koli for second-degree theft and second-degree criminal property damage, county officials said. Koli is described to be the contractor who allegedly used heavy equipment to take the rocks to reportedly build a wall at Sagum’s property.
Ted Blake, executive director of Hui Malama o Koloa, said this is believed to be the first time charges were filed against individuals for alleged "rock robbing" from an archaeological site. "The site is the last remaining evidence of an aqueduct in Hawaii," Blake said.
According to a news release, 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.
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