Police Request Public Assistance Regarding Suspicious Fires

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A recent string of suspicious fires are under investigation by the Hawai’i Police Department and the public’s help in identifying anyone with information may be key in putting an end to the suspected arsons.

HPD said Friday afternoon that a total of 10 fires have occurred over the past month and a half, spanning multiple portions of West Hawai’i, including Kaiminani Drive, in the vicinity of the Ane Keohokalole Highway, the area north of Pu’uanahulu along Hawai’i Belt Road and the 6-mile marker, and in the area of the 49-mile marker on the Daniel K. Inouye Highway.

Below is a brief description of each fire, by date:

Jan. 20, approximately 3:25 p.m. – Police and firefighters responded to a report of a brush fire on the mauka side of Ane Keohokalole Highway, approximately one-half mile north of Kaiminani Drive. Fire personnel extinguished that fire, which burned more than 200 acres of vegetation and dry brush.

Feb. 11, approximately 3:17 p.m. – Police and firefighters responded to a report of a brush fire on the north side of the Daniel K. Inouye Highway, near the 49-mile marker. As emergency personnel were working to extinguish that fire, three additional brush fires were reported along Route 190 in the areas of the 17-mile marker, the 15-mile marker, and the 14-mile marker. Fire personnel were able to extinguish those fires, which burned more than 300 acres of vegetation and brush.

Feb. 17, approximately 12:06 a.m. – Police and firefighters responded to a report of a brush fire on the mauka side of Route 190 near the 17-mile marker. Fire personnel were able to quickly extinguish that fire, which burned an approximate 200-foot-by-20-foot area of vegetation and dry brush.

Feb. 17, approximately 12:17 a.m. – Police and firefighters responded to a report of a brush fire on the mauka side of Route 190 in the area of the 10-mile marker, just north of the Waikoloa Road intersection. Fire personnel were able to quickly extinguish that fire, which burned an approximate 10-foot-by-10-foot area of vegetation and dry brush.

Feb. 17, approximately 12:42 a.m. – Police and firefighters responded to a report of a brush fire on the mauka side of Route 190, in the area of the 18-mile marker. Fire personnel were able to extinguish that fire, which burned an undetermined area of vegetation and dry brush.

Feb. 18, approximately 2:29 a.m. – Police and firefighters responded to a report of a brush fire on the mauka side of Route 190, in the area of the 6-mile marker near the Old Saddle Road intersection. Fire personnel were able to quickly extinguish that fire, which burned approximately one acre of vegetation and dry brush.

March 3, approximately 11:13 a.m. – Police and firefighters responded to a report of a brush fire on the south side of Kaiminani Drive near Ane Keohokalole Highway. Fire personnel were able to extinguish that fire, which burned an approximate 100-foot-by-30 area of vegetation and dry brush.

Throughout the duration of the fires, no structures have been damaged and no injuries have been reported.

Police have not yet determined the total extent of the burned property.

Detectives with the Area II Criminal Investigations Section, along with Hawaiʻi County fire inspectors, have deemed the fires as suspicious in nature and continue to investigate their cause.

Anyone who drives along Hawai’i Belt Road on a regular basis, especially in the area of recent fires, should be aware of suspicious activity and report it immediately by calling the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311.

Members of the public with information regarding the cause of the fires should contact Detective Levon Steven by calling 326-4646, extension 275 or e-mail [email protected].

Those who would prefer to remain anonymous should call the Big Island Crime Stoppers at 961-8300.