Man admits setting fire in airport

By David Waite
Advertiser Courts Writer

A former Maui resident admitted in federal court yesterday that he drove a borrowed utility vehicle into the Kahului Airport terminal Feb. 29 and set it on fire.

Paul S. Blatchley told federal Magistrate Judge Kevin Chang that he bought three five-gallon gas containers at a Wal-Mart Store, filled them with gas, drove to the airport and ignited the gas that he splashed inside the vehicle.

Blatchley, 53, told Chang he took the actions "without the intention of hurting anyone."

He pleaded guilty to a single charge of intentionally disrupting the operations of an international airport and will be sentenced Sept. 27 by U.S. District Judge Susan Mollway.

United States Attorney Edward Kubo Jr. said Blatchley's actions caused the Kahului Airport to shut down operations, which delayed thousands of tourists and Hawai'i residents.

No one was injured, although the airport terminal was damaged. Porter said the state has not set a dollar amount on the damage.

Blatchley did not say what led to the incident. He told the judge he takes Prozac (a prescription drug to treat depression) but that he is not under treatment for any mental illness.

After the hearing, Assistant U.S. Attorney Wes Porter said Blatchley announced at the airport that he was trying to kill himself. "The guy was probably trying to draw attention to himself and chose the wrong venue," Porter said.

Blatchley pleaded guilty as part of a plea bargain with federal prosecutors. In exchange, no additional charges will brought against him.

Although federal law allows for a sentence of up to 20 years, it is likely Blatchley will serve much less time. Lloyd Albinio, a Kaua'i man who shot several bullets into the ceiling at the Lihu'e Airport in May 2003, was sentenced by Mollway to 37 months.

Blatchley has been held without bail.

Reach David Waite at 525-8030 or at dwaite@honoluluadvertiser.com.