U.S. attorney awaiting arson report on Makiki church

By Allison Schaefers
Advertiser Staff Writer

Federal law enforcement officials are closely monitoring the investigation of an arson that heavily damaged a portion of the First Christian Church in Makiki early Wednesday because it was a violent crime that may have been motivated by hate, the U.S. attorney said yesterday.

U. S. Attorney Ed Kubo said if investigators determine the fire was a hate crime, federal officials will prosecute the case.

"We will consider all crimes motivated by hate to be a matter which is serious and warranting federal prosecution," Kubo said. "I will not allow any form of crimes to occur in Hawai'i that is based on race, gender, national origin, religious preference or sexual orientation."

Honolulu police Det. Robert Cravalho said investigators have determined that the fire was deliberately set, but they have found no evidence linking it to a hate crime.

"Usually with a hate crime we'll see some sort of follow up note or other related crimes," Cravalho said. "The fire might have been motivated by hate, but we don't have any evidence to indicate that right now."

But Cravalho said the case is still under investigation.

The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is also investigating the incident to determine if a federal crime has been committed.

The church's openly gay pastor Rev. Vaughn Beckman on Wednesday said the fire could be payback for his recent legal challenge of the city-sponsored Family Day event and his stance on homosexuality. Vaughn was one of several people who filed a lawsuit in state Circuit Court, saying the July 5 Family Day at Kapi'olani Park was essentially a Christian religious service paid for with taxpayers' money.

The fire, which caused about $150,000 in damage to the bottom-floor fellowship hall of the church, was reported at 4:39 a.m. Wednesday.

Reach Allison Schaefers at aschaefers@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8110.