6-19-23 Police Investigating Burglary at Merrie Monarch Festival Office in Hilo

Hawai‘i Island police are investigating a burglary that occurred at the Merrie Monarch Festival office on Pi‘ilani Street in Hilo sometime between Sunday morning, June 18, and Monday morning, June 19, 2023.

At 7:49 a.m. on June 19, Hilo patrol officers responded to a reported burglary at the Merrie Monarch Festival office located in the 800 block of Pi‘ilani Street. It was reported that sometime between 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, June 18 and 7:00 a.m. Monday, June 19, unknown suspect(s) entered the establishment and removed numerous items valued at more than $2,700. One of the items removed was a distinct frame/board that contained 12 Merrie Monarch Royal Court Medals (pictured).

Hawai‘i Police Department’s Area I Criminal Investigation Section Crime Reduction Unit is continuing the investigation and police ask that anyone with information regarding this incident call the police department’s non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311.

Those with information regarding this crime can also contact Detective John Balberde at john.balberde@hawaiicounty.gov. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the islandwide Crime Stoppers number at (808) 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers doesn’t record calls or subscribe to caller ID. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.