HILO, Hawaii – Police have arrested a man in connection with a spear that was taken from King Kamehameha's statue on Hawaii's Big Island.
The man was arrested Thursday on suspicion of theft and criminal property damage.
The top section of the spear held by a statue of the Hawaiian warrior was reported missing Sunday. Detectives returned to the scene Tuesday when they found the missing spear section in overgrowth on the banks of a channel behind the statue.
Police say the spear was forcibly removed from the lower staff section.
Kamehameha the First is known for uniting the Hawaiian islands in 1810. The statue in downtown Hilo near Wailoa (wy-LOH'-ah) State Park is one of several bearing his likeness.
On Kamehameha Day, celebrated June 11, his statues are ceremoniously draped with lei.
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