Canefield arson unit on Maui disbands

By Timothy Hurley
Advertiser Maui County Bureau

WAILUKU, Maui — With months of rainy weather that have made even scheduled cane fires difficult to set, the Maui Police Department has deactivated a task force assigned to catch the arsonist responsible for last summer's torching of several hundred acres of cane belonging to Hawai'i's largest sugar grower.

Lt. Chad Viela said Tuesday the task force would be remobilized if necessary.

Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Co. officials said seven arson fires blackened almost 860 acres of sugar cane last summer, causing more than $500,000 in losses.

The company posted a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to an arrest and indictment.

On Aug. 6, a blaze — started in several areas — blackened 420 acres of sugar cane and shut down Haleakala Highway during rush hour.

Stephen Holaday, HC&S plantation general manager, said the cane fires played havoc with the harvesting schedule, and above-average rainfall has added to a harvesting backlog. The problems have placed revenue projections behind by $6 million, he said.

HC&S, a division of Alexander & Baldwin Inc., cultivates more than 37,000 acres in Maui's central valley, producing 80 percent of the state's raw sugar.

Reach Timothy Hurley at thurley@honoluluadvertiser.com or (808) 244-4880.