Vandal hits historic Kalapana church, leaving longtime caretaker in tears

KALAPANA (HawaiiNewsNow) - A historic church on Hawaii Island was targeted in a senseless act of vandalism this week. Those who love and care for the church shared their heartbreak over the damage.

The Star of the Sea Painted Church in Kalapana is approaching its centennial year. For decades, it’s welcomed worshippers and visitors. But earlier this week, an unwanted vandal stopped by instead.

His first alleged visit was sometime Sunday into Monday when the church caretaker said multiple jalousies and stained glass windows were shattered.

“This window was broken,” said Roseanna Kanoa, caretaker of 25 years, pointing out a window in the front of the building. “Now we have put plastic there so that the rain don’t go in. There’s a big hole there.”

The suspect returned Wednesday morning — this time making his way inside, breaking religious statues, and wrecking priceless works of art.

“He was really on a rampage,” one video showcasing the damage said.

When asked how it felt to see the aftermath, Kanoa said, “I cried... I cried. I cried on Monday when I seen the windows... I cried so loud because everything was all broken.”

The cost of the damage was immeasurable.

“How do you calculate irreplaceable things? What is the formula to calculate for irreplaceable statues,” Kanoa said.

Police identified the suspect as Edward Wilson, 58. He also allegedly took a crystal cross, which was found shattered along a nearby road. He was arrested and charged with criminal property damage and theft.

Volunteers and donors are now working to clean up the mess he’s accused of leaving behind.

“It’s about to have its centennial anniversary in a couple of years. So now’s a really beautiful time to start waking up the community to the need to care for this place, and celebrate its history,” said non-profit Red Road Resilience Network co-director Kristen McCormack.

The church has a resilient history that included moving the entire building in 1990 when an area of Kalapana was threatened by an advancing lava flow.

“Everybody getting the opportunity to learn the history, even if you’re not religious or, not Catholic, it’s a part of this area’s cultural heritage,” McCormack said.

Glass restoration specialists and local artists being brought in to help, and the Red Road Resilience Network is coordinating fundraising and donor efforts.

“The generations of artists that have contributed their artistry and their love and their dedication. It carries so much history,” McCormack added.

As for Wilson, his bail was set at $200. He made an initial appearance in court Thursday and will have to undergo a mental fitness examination.