Wai'anae school arson incidents stump officials
By Shayna Coleon
Advertiser Staff Writer
A wave of arson at Wai'anae Coast schools has prompted officials to ask the community for help.
The most recent arson occurred Wednesday night, when a fire was deliberately set at Wai'anae Intermediate School. It was the fifth such fire at a Wai'anae Coast school in less than a month.
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People with information about the Wai'anae fires can call Detective Robert Cravalho at 529-3873 or CrimeStoppers at 955-8300.
A portable classroom at the intermediate school caught fire when someone piled recently cut grass against the structure and lit it, said Honolulu Fire Department spokesman Capt. Richard Soo.
HFD received the alarm about 8:01 p.m. and extinguished the small fire minutes later. Damage to the building was estimated at $200.
"This is a problem that has now involved all public schools in the Wai'anae area," Soo said. "And it affects the whole community."
At least four fires were intentionally set May 24-28 at Kamaile Elementary School, Wai'anae High and Wai'anae Elementary School, according to the Fire Department.
A fire set May 28 at a Wai'anae High portable classroom caused about $40,000 damage to the building and $1,000 to its contents.
Investigators said they have no suspects and cannot link the arson because there is no direct motive.
"There is no real rhyme or reason for these fires, which makes it more difficult," said Honolulu Police Detective Robert Cravalho, who investigates fire and arson. "Simply, this person is gratified by seeing fires or being mischievous."
Marilyn Harris, a Board of Education member who also works in Wai'anae, said the arsonists likely have grudges with the school system.
"These people are probably doing it out of retaliation," Harris said. "It seems they are focusing on the schools, so it says they are trying to get back at the schools."
Cravalho said police officers will increase patrol and inspections at Wai'anae schools during the night, when the crimes most often occur.
Amy Martinson, Wai'anae Intermediate School principal, said the school does not have night security, but the Leeward schools will discuss security issues with the Department of Education's district office in July.
With such limited information about the fires, officials said community input can solve this case.
"The only way this is going to be stopped is to get the eyes and ears of the community," Soo said. "We rely on the community to at least notify 911 as soon as they see something suspicious, like people on school grounds for no apparent reason."
