HAWAII COMPUTERS STOLEN FROM COMMUNITY COLLEGEKGMB9 - Hawaii's Severe Weather Station | Local NewsPosted: February 7,2005 04:33 PM

Music Equipment Stolen From LCC
Stacy Loe


The week started on a sad note for students in the Kanikapila choir at Leeward Community College. They walked into class only to find much of their musical equipment gone.

Sometime Friday night on January 28th, thieves armed with crow bars broke into the Fine Arts building on campus and ransacked about 15 offices and classrooms.

"They beat a hole in the wall and they were able to reach through and open the door from the inside," said Peter Frary, the school's guitar professor.

Once inside the rooms, they stole computers, microphones, keyboards, amps. Even a rare $ 3,000 classical guitar.

"I was extremely upset because it's a personal violation and the theft of musicians instruments is like part of your body."

Choir director Marilyn Liu Kim says the thieves knew exactly what they wanted. In a matter of minutes, they took more than $20,000 worth of equipment, much of it the students use when they peform in the community.

"I have nothing to take my singers on the road with, we are due to go on tour in may and i'm just expecting god to make things right," said Liu Kim.

As you might imagine, the students are devastated.

"It hurts inside, it really hurts inside and it affected a lot of us we were awestruck," said Spencer Moon.

"It's horrible thinking someone can be so greedy and we work so hard," said Kassandra Rhodes.

Police have recovered some of what was taken - but the gear the choir kids need the most is still missing.

"If anyone out there is listening and the people who took the stuff we'd like our stuff back," said Moon.

No arrests have been made but authorities believe they know who the suspects are. Right now, one security guard patrols the campus overnight. The school is considering adding surveillance cameras and more lighting to prevent future break-ins.