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‘Guardian angel’
cleans Kihei library
of graffiti

Vandals threw trash and
painted graffiti in the 7th strike
against the library; the state
will discuss ways to
deter vandalism

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By Pat Gee
Star-Bulletin

Was it the work of a guardian angel or the cleansing rivulets of rain over the New Year's weekend?

Whomever -- or whatever -- it was that removed the red and purple graffiti that vandals spray-painted on the front of the Kihei Library, manager Janet Fehr doesn't know.

She's just glad "it's not there and we didn't clean it."

On Dec. 28, vandals struck for the seventh time since August, spreading trash and broken glass all over the parking lot in addition to spray-painting 10-inch-high words, "South Side," on the front of the building.

Fehr was awaiting the arrival of a special solution to take the paint off. But when she checked on New Year's Day, the graffiti was gone, she said. "I don't know what happened. Whether it was a guardian angel or the rain ..."

Because nothing has been stolen during the several acts of vandalism, Fehr suspected it's the work of mischievous teens. Last year was the first time repeated incidents have occurred at the library in the 10 years Fehr has been manager, she said.

According to State Librarian Virginia Lowell, a meeting will be held Tuesday on Maui with the staff and the state Department of Accounting and General Services to discuss deterring vandalism.

One proposal is a $5,000 surveillance camera system, but Lowell said she would like to see a less costly solution in the form of volunteer neighborhood watch teams patrolling the library at nights and the early mornings.

Lowell said, "Our first and strongest response, and probably the most effective ... (is to) let the community know that the library is being defiled by kids to whom it's simply a game," and the public has to get involved in catching those responsible.

Any one of the library system's 52 buildings, or any other public building, could be next, she said.

Lowell said the vandals should be prosecuted. "We should make an example of them. Kids do it because they think they can get away with it." As part of the consequences, she said, it would be a good idea to make them clean the 200-plus windows at Kihei library.

Fehr said: "People have an investment in the library. ... These are their books. This is their library. Everybody's taxes are paying for it.

"It's sad and so disrespectful. It's sad that nobody has talked to the (vandals) about respect for property and other people. It's discouraging for the staff. It's starting to get to everybody," Fehr said.

Damage to the library was minimal compared to the last incident in November, which cost a little over $1,000 for the replacement of windows, spotlights, book tapes and other items, Fehr said.