Statue of king to be repaired

HILO >> The vandalized statue of King Kamehameha in Hilo is getting its spear tip back.

A Hawaii Fire Department ladder truck will help with the installation of the 6-foot section of spear Saturday, the Hawaii Tribune-Herald reports.

A Kamehameha Schools Alumni Association official says a local artist who wishes to remain anonymous performed the repair work, and that thousands of dollars have been raised toward other improvements. Investigators found the spear, which was forcibly detached, in overgrowth behind the statue Sept. 8.

William Roy Carroll pleaded not guilty to property damage and theft charges in the vandalism. His trial is set for Jan. 25.

The association is continuing to raise funds toward its $50,000 goal for improvements to the 5-ton statue, installed in 1997.