Man charged in stabbings, Kailua fire

By Rod Ohira and Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writers

Micah White was charged today with first-degree attempted murder, two counts of attempted second-degree murder and first-degree criminal property damage in connection with a stabbing and house fire in Kailua Monday afternoon.

His bail was set at $300,000 and he is scheduled for arraignment Monday at District Court.

White is accused of stabbing his mother, Kerry White, 48 and his aunt, 58, and then setting fire to the home at 1214 Kainui Drive.

The two women, who suffered burns over more than 50 percent of their bodies, remain in critical condition.

The two women told ambulance personnel that a family member had set the fire during an argument and fled, leaving them in the burning home, police said.

Micah White was arrested Tuesday.

Homicide Lt. David Kamai yesterday declined to comment on possible motives in the case. He also would not comment on whether a 30-inch sword found in the burned home Tuesday was used to attack the women.

The fire destroyed the home and heavily damaged another Monday. Neighbors said they saw Kerry White on fire and running from the home.

Micah White was the subject of a manhunt Monday night and Tuesday before he called police and arranged his arrest.

He was picked up at a scenic lookout on the Pali Highway.

Although the fire occurred Monday, the home remained a hazard zone yesterday as fire officials told police investigators to leave the area. Sam White, Kerry White's husband, works for a pool maintenance firm and chemicals were stored at the home.

"It rained and there were still some chemicals in the garage area that reacted with the water," said Kenison Tejada, fire department spokesman.