Keiki non-profit thanks Waianae community for helping with safe return of tractor

HONOLULU (KHON2) — Kaala Farms in Waianae is a cultural learning center for keiki; where they plant ulu, banana, lo’i and more.

“We have pre-contact lo’i over here, we also serve about 3,000 visitors a year, where people learn cultural values and practices,” explained Stone Perez, Visit Coordinator at Kaala Farm.

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So, they were surprised to see their lock was broken when they went to the farm early on Thursday, July 4.

“Somebody came in, stole our tractor, rode it down the hill, they took our van battery, machete and one of our students’ bags,” Perez said. “As soon as we found out, we put it on Instagram, and we started getting feedback.”

The post went viral, being shared 300 times with over 1,000 likes.

Within a few hours, they had surveillance footage of a white truck taking the tractor off their property.

“The community was in the streets going back and forth, I love this place,” Perez said as she thanked the community for their quick help.

They shared the information with Honolulu police, and on Saturday morning, there was a sighting nearby.

“Someone sent me a photo and asked if this was our tractor, and it was so I grabbed my kumu and we went down,” Perez said. “It was over by Camp Waianae, and no one was there, and all our things were there.”

Kaala Farms said the tractor is extremely important, and it’s the only big machinery they have, and it allows them to pave roads on the nearly 1,000 acres.

Rep. Cedric Gates (D) Waianae, Makaha said he is glad it was a happy ending, but saying the crime is extremely impactful to hundreds of others too.

“In this specific case, it was our keiki that were potentially going to have to suffer because they wouldn’t have the environment they deserve here to make sure this place is safe,” he explained. “Fires have been breaking out here and this machine helps create fire breaks which in turn keeps the keiki safe.”

Everyone happy all the items were returned, especially to a group who does so much for their community.

“To the people who stole from us, hopefully you can learn to do the right thing and stop stealing and make our community a safer place to be in,” Perez said. “We’re raising our kids here and Waianae is very special.”