Fire extinguished in Waimea Monday; officials suspect arson
WAIMEA – Fire crews with the Kaua‘i Fire Department (KFD) and the Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) extinguished a brush fire in Waimea above Panini Place Monday evening.
No injuries or damaged structures were reported. Personnel with the KFD Fire Prevention Bureau, DOFAW, and the Kaua‘i Police Department (KPD) investigated the area of the Poki‘i ridge fire and Panini fire on Tuesday. Investigators discovered incendiary devices in the area of the Poki‘i ridge fire. They suspect that both fires were intentionally set.
“Arson can quickly lead to uncontrollable wildfires, endangering lives, property, and the surrounding area,” said Kaua‘i Fire Department Chief Michael Gibson. “Once a fire starts, it can rapidly spread to nearby vegetation, structures, and residential areas, causing extensive damage and the potential for injuries.”
According to a preliminary report, fire crews were dispatched to a brush fire above Panini Place shortly before 4:45 p.m. Monday. Firefighters with the Waimea Fire Station and crews with DOFAW responded to the incident. When firefighters arrived on scene, they discovered an area of brush approximately 40 yards by 20 yards on fire. Crews with KFD and DOFAW extinguished the fire, and KFD personnel cleared the scene shortly before 6 p.m.
Waimea Canyon Drive was closed for an hour while fire crews responded.
“Arson is a serious crime with severe consequences, posing an immediate threat to lives, properties, and the environment,” said Kaua‘i Police Department Chief Todd Raybuck. “Perpetrators will face significant penalties, including imprisonment and fines. We will not tolerate arson. I urge everyone to consider the potential consequences for the well-being of others and our community before taking such actions.”
Intentionally or knowingly setting a fire or causing property to be burned and knowingly or recklessly causing damages to property in excess of $20,000 is a Class A Felony, punishable by up to 20 years in prison, according to Hawai‘i Revised Statutes section 708-8251.
The cause of the large wildfire that occurred at the Hanapēpē-Kaumakani area on July 15 on Kaua‘i's Westside remains under investigation.
A preliminary investigation by the KFD Fire Prevention Bureau has revealed that a 10-acre fire in Kapa‘a on July 16 was caused by improper use of charging equipment consisting of a photovoltaic panel connected to a car battery.
Anyone with information regarding these incidents is encouraged to contact KPD Dispatch at 808-241-1711 or Lt. Kennison Nagahisa at 808-241-1705 and knagahisa@kauai.gov. Those wishing to remain anonymous can provide information by calling Crime Stoppers Kauaʻi at 808-246-8300, submitting a tip at cskauai.org, or through the Crime Stoppers Kauaʻi P3 Tips Mobile App, available for download on Android and Apple mobile devices.
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