Many people think that living in Hawaii must be paradise. In many ways, it is. But as a few people find out each year, not everything is sweet and light. According to this article (scroll down to the police reports):
A 50-year-old visitor from Connecticut was allegedly robbed twice in less than five minutes yesterday while walking along Ali'i Drive in Kailua-Kona.
Derrick Schull told police he was walking south along Ali'i Drive at about 3:25 a.m. just north of Lunapule Road when a dark-colored sport utility vehicle stopped alongside him. He said three dark-complexioned males in their 30s got out and demanded his wallet. The suspects then forcibly took the wallet and its contents and drove off in a southerly direction.
About five minutes later, the victim said, four males walked out of some bushes, confronted him and demanded his wallet.
When the victim told them he had no wallet, the two young adults allegedly punched and kicked him before fleeing the area.
The victim suffered minor injuries and refused medical attention.
Ali'i Drive is the main road in Kailua-Kona on the Big Island of Hawai'i. To be accosted twice, much less once, on a main street just reflects the problems associated with illegal drug use. The users quickly begin a life of crime, if they haven't already, to get money to buy their drugs. As these people become bolder, I think we will see more and more of these kinds of incidents.
Heck, Honolulu city hall was broken into and computers stolen. Twice. In one week. If city hall isn't safe, where is? That said, it doesn't mean we should all stay in our homes and never leave. These kinds of incidents are not the norm, life does go on. So get out there and live your life as you choose. Just be aware that, sometimes, bad things happen.
