Man indicted over damage at palace

An Oahu grand jury Thursday indicted a 57-year-old man who allegedly broke etched glass panes on three doors at historic Iolani Palace and a glass door at the state Capitol.

Michael L. Aquino was indicted on charges of first- and second-degree criminal property damage. He remained in custody in lieu of $100,000 bail.

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 damage is a Class C felony that carries a penalty of up to five years in prison.

State Attorney General Doug Chin said in a statement, “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.”

Aquino allegedly vandalized Iolani Palace and the state Capitol sometime before 5:15 p.m. Sunday. The Department of the Attorney General said he used a 3-foot metal pipe to break glass panes on the mauka side of the palace. He then allegedly broke a glass door to the House chambers at the Capitol before state sheriff’s deputies arrested him.

Since the vandalism the Friends of Iolani Palace has hired a guard to monitor the palace’s perimeter during evening hours. The palace has long had guards monitoring the interior, as well as a perimeter alarm that’s triggered when someone sets foot on the steps and lanai during closed hours. The alarm alerted a palace guard Sunday after Aquino allegedly set it off.

Kippen de Alba Chu, executive director of the Friends of Iolani Palace, said the organization continues to discuss additional ways to protect the palace.

An appraiser visited the palace Thursday morning to assess the value of the etched glass panes and is expected to issue a report to the organization next week. “We believe they’re the original,” de Alba Chu said of the damaged panes.

Aquino has an extensive criminal record that includes five felony convictions for assault, drugs and burglary. His record also includes more than 20 petty misdemeanor and misdemeanor convictions for criminal property damage, assault, harassment, theft, disorderly conduct, criminal trespassing and drugs.

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

The palace was designated a national historic landmark in 1962.