HONOLULU -- Hawaii's Supreme Court has become the latest victim of copper theft.

In the last few weeks, thieves have ripped off several heavy copper downspouts from Aliiolani Hale. The historic building was the Kingdom of Hawaii's first official government building and is now home to the state Supreme Court.

"It's pretty sad and disappointing that someone would come to a historic building such as ours, which is more than 100 years old and then to have them desecrate it by having them ripping off the fixtures," Deputy Courts Director Walter Ozawa said.

Courts administrators have not estimated the value of the copper, yet. Copper sells for about $3.50 a pound.

Courts officials are considering replacing the lower end of the drainage system with a material less attractive to thieves.

Hawaii has been plagued by thefts of copper wiring and gutters. Thieves have stolen wiring from freeway street light fixtures and gutters from a Makiki church recently.