(Maui News, January 2, 1960)
Sometime during the week before Christmas, possibly even Christmas Eve, high winds blew off a portion of the roof of St. Joseph’s Church at Kaupo, a 92-year-old structure.
However, according to police reports, Father Basil Colloton did not receive news of the damage until December 27, and was not able to go to Kaupo to check it until the next day.
Father Colloton explained to police that he says mass at the church once every two months and that the last time he had visited the ancient church was on November 29.
When the priest, accompanied by a police officer, visited St. Joseph’s on December 28, they discovered that about 38 feet of the galvanized roof had blown off. It was found in two sections, one lying on the lawn and the other resting against the church wall.
Damage was estimated at about $800, and Father Colloton told police that the church was insured. He said the last time the roof had been repaired was “sometime in 1948.”