Parrot stomped to death during burglary
Kailua, HI (US)Incident Date: Tuesday, Oct 18, 2005
County: Honolulu
Disposition: Alleged
Abuser names unreleased
The close-knit community of Kailua, Kona, is mourning Simmy Bird, the beloved mascot of a longtime surf shop who was stomped to death during a burglary.
The 25-year-old yellow-naped Amazon parrot belonged to the McMichael family, who has run the Pacific Vibrations store on Likana Lane in the heart of the historic West Hawai'i town for 28 years. Friends and fans have dropped by to pay their respects over the past week, with sympathy cards, photos, bouquets and lei left at a memorial by her cage outside the store.
Larry "Uncle Bo" Campos, who owns the Na Makana gift store next door to Pacific Vibrations, said Simmy Bird always perched outside the surf shop and would walk over to his place every morning to chat and snack on peanuts.
"It's the saddest thing. I cried like a baby when I heard about what happened," Campos said. "She was Kona's bird. Everybody knew Simmy. Visitors would come back year after year to talk to her. She brought so much joy to Kona."
Makai McMichael, 25, whose parents Simmy and Michael McMichael started the business, said Simmy Bird entertained passers-by with dozens of sounds and phrases, and would offer individualized greetings to anyone she recognized. "She just liked to be at the shop," he said. "Everyone knew the bird and would come by to say hi."
Police have charged four boys, all ages 16 to 17, with the Oct. 18 break-in, and one boy was charged with cruelty to animals in the death of the bird.
The burglary happened around 2:30 a.m. when someone threw a rock through the store's glass door, McMichael said. The intruders grabbed a rack of board shorts, broke open a glass display case of sunglasses and took hats and other merchandise.
Kona police said the case will be forwarded to the Hawai'i County Prosecutor's Office and Family Court. Some of the stolen items have been recovered, but police say some of the loot may have been passed on to others.
Investigators ask anyone who may have received the merchandise to call acting detective Paula Jelsma of the Kona Juvenile Aid Section at (808) 326-4646, ext. 276, or Crime Stoppers in Hilo at (808) 961-8300 in Hilo or in Kona at (808) 329-8181 in Kona.
McMichael said the family plans to have Simmy Bird stuffed by a taxidermist so she'll remain a constant presence. References
« More cases in Honolulu County, HI
|
