Richard Acorda, 18, of Pukalani, was a senior at King Kekaulike High School at the time of the fire, which occurred in the early morning hours of April 14. The blaze burned the golf course clubhouse and its popular restaurant, causing more than $1 million damage and putting 32 employees out of work.

Acorda, who was present but did not participate in lighting the fire, earlier pleaded no contest to third-degree criminal property damage.

He appeared today before Maui Circuit Judge Joel August with a check for $7,000 to cover his share of restitution for the country club's insurance deductible and other out-of-pocket expenses.

August noted that Acorda was "a model citizen" before the fire and graduated with a 3.5 grade-point average. The judge said Acorda is unlikely to cause further trouble, and he deferred the defendant's plea in the case, meaning the crime will be erased from Acorda's record if he successfully completes probation.

His two accomplices, Haiku residents Maxwell Webster and Dayton Valoroso, who were also 18 at the time of the arson, will be sentenced Jan. 26.