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Six people have offered donations of sunfish and money after thieves stole fish for the fourth time in two years from Kaimuki High School. School fish theft
spawns offers of helpBy Rosemarie Bernardo
Star-BulletinAquascience teacher Lowell Cambra said yesterday he was shocked and appreciated the public's generosity.
"We were really touched," he said.
On Monday morning, up to 400 pounds of Asian catfish were stolen from one of the fish tanks alongside the aquascience building.
The first theft occurred in December 1998, when 70 pounds of koi and pacu were stolen. In May 1999, as many as 300 pounds of Asian catfish and sunfish were missing. Two months ago, 160 pounds of fish were stolen from the tanks.
Pam Smith, a candidate for the 41st House District (Ewa Beach, Waipahu) offered Cambra a check for $25.
"I find it hard to believe that somebody could steal from kids," said Smith. "They were getting a great lesson in raising fish. They also received a lesson that some people just don't care."
Students fed and monitored the growth of the catfish since they received them as frys last September, said Cambra.
"We care about our students and the program we're trying to accomplish," he said.
The aquascience program began 3-1/2 years ago funded by the federal and state government. As many as 80 students at Kaimuki High School participate in the program.
They planned to sell the catfish at the school's PTSA craft fair on Nov. 18. Aquascience teacher Dudley Yogi yesterday filed a police report about Monday's fish theft. Cambra plans to contact Dr. Clyde Tamaru, aquaculture specialist at the University of Hawaii, to assist with the spawning process from some remaining female Asian catfish.
He hopes to spawn the catfish within the next two weeks.