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Suspect in Iolani Palace vandalism indicted

COURTESY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

Michael Aquino was indicted with first-degree criminal property damage and second-degree criminal property damage for breaking glass panes at Iolani Palace and breaking a glass door to the House chambers at the state capitol. His bail has been set at $100,000.

An Oahu grand jury has indicted a 57-year-old man for breaking etched glass panes of three doors at Iolani Palace.

Michael L. Aquino was indicted today with first-degree criminal property damage and second-degree criminal property damage for breaking glass panes at the palace and breaking a glass door to the House chambers at the state Capitol. His bail has been set at $100,000.

First-degree criminal property damage is a class B felony that carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison. Second-degree criminal property is a class C felony that carries a penalty of up to five years in prison.

“The cultural and historical significance of Iolani Place to the people of Hawaii cannot be overstated. The State Capitol is a vital public building. Aquino will be prosecuted to the fullest extent possible,” state Attorney General Doug Chin said in a news release.

Aquino vandalized Iolani Palace and the state capitol sometime before 5:15 p.m. Sunday. He allegedly used a three-foot metal pipe to break the glass panes on the mauka side of the palace. He then broke a glass door to the House chambers at the capitol before state sheriffs arrested him.

Iolani Palace was built in 1882 as the official residence of the Hawaiian monarchy, according to its website. In 1895 Queen Lili‘uokalani was imprisoned at the palace for eight months following the 1893 overthrow of the monarchy.

The palace was designated a national historic landmark in 1962.

Correction: An earlier version of the story said Aquino allegedly broke glass panes on the makai side of the palace.
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