Suspicious fires on Hawaii Island prompt arson investigation

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Hawaii Island police have launched an investigation into a series of brush fires in the Ocean View area.

On Monday, Mar. 3, at around 1:15pm, police said they were notified of a brush fire near King Kamehameha Boulevard between Luau Drive and Coral Parkway.

Hawaii Fire crews arrived on scene shortly after the call, and said that the three small fires had already been extinguished by passersby.

Fire crews said they received another report of a brush fire in the same general area a few hours later, at approximately 3 p.m.

The fire was extinguished and no property damage or injuries were reported, crews said.

Hawaii Island police said that a dark-skinned man wearing brown shorts and no shirt was observed in the area of the brush fires.

Officials said the man left the area in a white sedan and was last seen heading east on Luau Drive.

The man’s identity, make and model of the vehicle is unknown at this time, police said.

At this time, Hawaii Island police said they have not confirmed whether the Mar. 3, brush fires are related to the residential fire that destroyed a home on Paradise Parkway and burned brush on adjacent properties on Feb. 21.

The Mar. 3, fires occurred about a mile north of the Feb. 21, house fire, officials said.

Upon further investigation of the Feb. 21, fire, police said that the homeowner reported seeing an individual that resembled the description of the Mar. 3, individual on her property shortly before the fire started.

Police said they have not yet confirmed whether the man spotted on Mar. 3, is the same man the homeowner saw Feb. 21.

Both fire incidents are under investigation by police and fire crews.

Officials ask anyone with information regarding these incidents or witnessed suspicious activity to call Detective Donovan Kohara at (808) 960-3118 or email donovan.kohara@hawaiicounty.gov.

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