26 Solar Panels Stolen From Puna FAA Facility

By Wendy Osher

Big Island police are investigating the theft of 26 large solar panels from a Federal Aviation Administration navigation facility in Puna.

The facility, located near the Maku’u Farm Lots, is one of several in Hawai’i that send signals to commercial flights traversing the Pacific Region.

The thefts occurred on two separate days this month, with thieves using a vehicle to ram the front gate in one incident.

Authorities say 12 panels were stolen and two were damaged in the first incident, which occurred sometime between September 13 and 17.

Ten additional panels were removed during a second incident, which happened sometime between September 18 and 22.

Anyone with information is asked to call Hawai’i Island Police at (808) 935-3311.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300 in Hilo, or (808) 329-8181 in Kona, and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.