Symphony offices broken into during fund drive

The Honolulu Symphony’s offices at 650 Iwilei Road in the Dole Cannery complex were broken into during the May 30 weekend. The exterior doors and several interior doors were forced open but, other than doorknobs, nothing was damaged, spokeswoman Kristin Jackson told Pacific Business News. Honolulu Police described the break-in as a “cash grab.”

There was a ransacking of papers and that kind of thing, but only an undisclosed small amount of money was taken ― no equipment or computers,” Jackson said.

The good news is that, because the staff and box office maintain very timely bills and bank deposits, it appears that in terms of cash and checks and computer records things are very secure,” said symphony board chairman Peter Shaindlin. “We were extremely fortunate.”

The symphony sought to raise $2.3 million by June 30. Symphony musicians and staff have experienced three-month delays in salary payments this year. As of June 5, more than $300,000 in donations had been raised in five weeks, but the symphony still faced a $1.9 million budget deficit.

Shaindlin said he hoped the balance could be raised from large contributors and board members were actively asking past and potential donors to step forward. “I’ve had more long lunches, drinks and dinners with people than you can imagine,” he said.