Teenage Girls Arrested for Damaging Sand Sculpture at Royal Hawaiian Hotel

Teenage Girls Arrested for Damaging Sand Sculpture at Royal Hawaiian Hotel

Two teenage girls have been arrested in relation to the vandalism of a sand sculpture at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Waikiki. The incident, which occurred on August 12, 2019, was captured on the hotel’s security cameras at around 11 p.m. In the footage, one of the girls can be seen scaling a barrier and repeatedly damaging the sand sculpture, while the other records the act with a cell phone.

The 15-year-old girl involved in the incident has been taken into custody and charged with criminal property damage. Due to her status as a minor, her identity has not been disclosed. After the initial arrest, another teenage suspect, a 17-year-old girl, was taken into custody on Wednesday under suspicion of second-degree criminal property damage. The authorities are committed to holding those responsible for the vandalism accountable for their actions.

Royal Hawaiian Hotel Sand Sculpture Destroyed

A magnificent sand sculpture displayed within the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Waikiki fell victim to an act of destruction. The sculpture, which depicted two keiki symbolizing Hawaii’s children during the Makahiki season, was safeguarded by a partition in the hotel’s lobby. Created by an artist from Florida in mid-July 2019, the sculpture represented a unique addition to the prestigious resort.

However, just a few months later, the artist was called back to Hawaii to repair unexpected damage. In August 2019, the tranquility surrounding the sand sculpture was shattered when a teenage girl was caught on surveillance camera trespassing over the protective partition.

In a matter of seconds, she mercilessly defaced the exquisite artwork, using her hands to dismantle one of the figures’ heads, vandalize facial features, dig into the sand, and even hurl various objects at it. The destructive act left behind approximately $1,500 worth of damages.

Following the destruction, the vandal swiftly fled the scene in the company of another teenage girl who had been recording the incident on her phone. In response, hotel staff adorned the wreckage with multiple leis as a symbolic gesture while they awaited the artist’s return to restore the sculpture to its former glory.

The Honolulu police promptly shared the surveillance footage, leading to the swift identification of the individuals involved in the incident. The hotel and authorities collaborated to address the destructive act, emphasizing the importance of preserving cherished artworks and upholding respect for cultural symbols.

What Happened to Royal Hawaiian Hotel Sand Sculpture?

The sand sculpture exhibited at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Waikiki was subjected to significant damage caused by an act of vandalism. In August 2019, surveillance footage captured a teenage girl crossing over the protective partition and ruthlessly defacing the intricate artwork using her hands.

The destructive actions included knocking off the head of one figure, tearing through facial features, digging into the sand, and hurling various objects at the sculpture. The resulting destruction incurred costs amounting to $1,500. The recorded video depicted one of the girls throwing debris at the sculpture and attempting to break it apart using a pillow.

Eventually, she climbed over a barrier to reach the artwork, removing the nose from a male depiction and decapitating a female figure. The sand sculpture was initially crafted by Sandsational Sand Sculptures, an artist collective based in Florida. In response to the incident, one of their artists promptly flew to Hawaii to commence the necessary repairs and restoration work.

Women Vandalize Sand Sculpture at Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Honolulu

Two women engaged in a disturbing act of vandalism at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Honolulu on the night of August 12, around 11:16 PM. Caught on surveillance cameras, the footage shows one of the women aggressively swinging a pillow at a sand sculpture. The destructive behavior escalated as she climbed over the designated barrier, causing the face of a sand woman to collapse.

Throughout the incident, her companion recorded the spectacle on a cellphone. Following the destructive act, both women hastily fled the scene, running through the hotel. One was dressed in a black halter top with black pants, while the other wore jeans and a black top. The Honolulu Police are currently seeking their identification and have shared the surveillance footage to aid in their apprehension.

Owner of Sansational Jill Harris confirmed that her partner, Thomas Koet, is in Hawaii to restore the sand sculpture that was damaged at the hotel. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of preserving and respecting public artworks.

Sand Sculpture Restored at Royal Hawaiian

Following an act of vandalism by a teenage girl, the damaged sand sculpture at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel has been successfully restored by its creator. The incident occurred on August 12, 2019, resulting in the destruction and disfigurement of the sculpture’s figures.

Law enforcement has identified and charged the responsible teenage girl and her accomplice with criminal property damage. Steps are being taken to address the incident and hold them accountable for the harm caused to the sculpture.

The widespread sharing of the vandalism video on social media played a crucial role in identifying the culprits and creating awareness about the incident. Kehaulani Kam, expressing a hopeful outlook, emphasized the importance of fostering understanding and engaging in dialogue to educate the responsible individual about the cultural significance of the location.

The sculptor, who has devoted his life to the art of sand sculpting, expressed his disappointment at the senseless destruction. He described the act of vandalism as the most extreme and shocking behavior he has encountered throughout his career, leaving a lasting impact on him. As a result of the artist’s efforts, the sand sculpture has been fully restored, allowing visitors to once again appreciate its beauty and significance at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel.

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