The Palace Theater in Hilo was burglarized early Saturday morning.
The culprit appears to have pried open a door, yanked the nonprofit’s donation box off the wall, carried it to the alley, busted it open and removed most of the cash.
Executive Director Morgen Bahurinsky said there must have either been more than one burglar or a single strong one because the donation box itself was very heavy and contained coins in addition to various paper currency, including at least one $100 bill and one $50 bill.
Bahurinsky said it appears a crowbar or similar tool was used to get inside the building and to remove the donation box.
“I think the violation to our blessed little Palace, a treasure to us, was the worst part,” she said.
Police are investigating the burglary.
Bahurinsky said there’s a street corner police video camera near the theater, and board members are hopeful a suspect can be identified as a result. Another nearby building also has video cameras.
Normally, the donation box gets emptied regularly. But theater staff were waiting to empty it, thinking the current musical, “SHOUT! The Mod Musical,” would bring additional donations.
The box hadn’t been emptied for about five months.
Normally, in a two- to three-month period, between about $2,000 and $3,000 gets dropped into the box, Bahurinsky said.
The theater has been working to raise enough money to install air conditioning, with a fundraising goal of $130,000. Funds raised so far have surpassed half that amount, Bahurinsky said. But the new system will require upgrading the sprinkler system, the theater board recently learned.
A theater board member found the remains of the donation box, broken apart, in the alley with a few dollars and coins still scattered around.
Bahurinsky said she and the theater staff are trying to keep a positive attitude.
“Hopefully, our musical will go really well and keep money coming into the Palace,” she said.
Theater officials are installing security enhancements, making repairs and using a temporary, small, frequently emptied donation box until a new one is installed.
The loss, Bahurinsky said, “brings tears to our eyes.”
Community members who want to help can donate with a credit card by calling 934-7010, in person (ring the bell at the box office) or by mail to Palace Theater, 38 Haili St., Hilo, HI 96720.
“SHOUT! The Mod Musical” is showing at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday this week and Oct. 27-28 at the Palace. There also are matinees at 2:30 p.m. this Sunday and Oct. 29.
Email Jeff Hansel at jhansel@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
