Boy started brushfire, police say

By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer

A 16-year-old youth has admitted he started Thursday's Wai'anae brushfire, according to Honolulu police. The fire scorched 20 acres and posed a threat to homes on Ala Hema Street.

The boy was arrested at the scene on suspicion of second-

degree criminal property damage after a witness told police she saw him leaving the area where the fire started. The boy reportedly admitted responsibility to a patrol officer at the scene and gave a similar statement later to Detective Robert Cravalho, a police fire investigation specialist.

He has been released to the custody of his parents, pending charges and Family Court action.

Capt. Glenn Solem recalled only one other case during his 13 years as a Honolulu Fire Department investigator in which an arrest was made for a wildland fire incident.

"Since we have a suspect who supposedly admitted to it, we'll be doing a scientific-origin-and-cause investigation," Solem said.

Solem began his investigation yesterday in the brush on the diamondhead side of Ala Hema Street, where the fire started. The investigation mainly involves a process of elimination of potential causes to arrive at a conclusion, he said.

Police, meanwhile, will be doing a follow-up investigation before charges are filed. The investigation includes statements from a group of boys who were with the suspect in the brush.

Firefighting efforts were hampered by shifting winds blowing out of the valley, Fire Department spokesman Kenison Tejada said. At one point, the fire came within 60 feet of Ala Hema Street homes.

There were no reports of property damage.