Arson cripples Farrington computers
By Peter Boylan
Advertiser Staff Writer
A fire that was deliberately set Monday night in the principal's office at Farrington High School crippled the school's computer system, leaving administrators and teachers no access to e-mail, financial records, student disciplinary reports and grades.
Jeff Widener • The Honolulu Advertiser
"That was kind of mean," said Mary Joy Galvez, a 14-year-old ninth-grader.
Farrington High principal Catherine Payne sifted through the charred remains of her office yesterday. "It's important that we find out who did this and that there is some resolution," she said of Monday night's fire, which was deliberately set.
Principal Catherine Payne said the blaze destroyed the computer network cables that run above the ceiling of her office.
Payne said she did not know when the system would be back online. She said the loss of the computer system did not significantly hinder the day-to-day operation of the school.
Eight fire companies responded to the 7:16 p.m. alarm at 1564 N. King St. and reported the fire under control at 7:34 p.m. Smoke and heat damage was confined to the principal's office, said Fire Department spokesman Capt. Emmit Kane.
Damage was estimated at $15,000 to the structure and $5,000 to contents.
Kane said a gasoline can was found outside the mauka door to the office and there were no signs of forced entry. Investigators suspect that gasoline was poured into the office from the space beneath the doorway and then ignited, Kane said.
"All the windows were intact and no signs of anyone breaking any doors. Firefighters had to force entry to get into the office," Kane said.
Payne, in her ninth year as Farrington's principal, put on blue rubber gloves yesterday and did her best to sift through the charred remains of books, files and her desk. The walls and ceiling of her office were blackened by smoke.
Department of Education spokesman Greg Knudsen said instances of arson at public schools are rare.
In addition to the network wires, a TV and a VCR mounted above Payne's desk were destroyed. She said many of her keepsakes, pictures and mementos from students past survived because they were on the opposite side of the room.
"This is unusual. The only other fire we had several years ago was electrical," she said. "It's important that we find out who did this and that there is some resolution."
She said students stopped by her office throughout the day to assure her that no one at Farrington started the fire.
"I believe them," Payne said.
On campus yesterday, students and faculty were shocked by the blaze.
"It's pretty bad. I didn't even realize it happened till this morning," said Mary Tsunemoto, a business teacher.
"Everybody feels bad, but everybody thinks that somebody from the school did it," said Johnrulin Hano, a 17-year-old junior.
Reach Peter Boylan at 535-8110 or pboylan@honoluluadvertiser.com.
