Arson Investigations Initiated Over More Suspicious West Hawai’i Fires

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Arson investigations connected to three of four West Hawai’i weekend brush fires have been initiated by the Hawai’i Police Department.

On Sunday between 9:45 a.m. and 4:26 p.m., four fires were ignited between the 8-mile marker and the 26-mile marker off of Highway 190, stretching the island from Kailua-Kona to Waimea.

According to the Hawai’i Police Department, two of the fires have been classified as third-degree arson, one is classified as fourth-degree arson, and the fourth is currently being classified as a fire.

HPD says the recent incidents are the latest in a string of brush fires that have burned in West Hawai’i since February.

Anyone who sees activity that could lead to a brush fire should call 9-1-1.

In addition, motorists are urged to use caution in West Hawai’i and refrain from throwing lit cigarettes from vehicles since drought conditions have created easily flammable conditions.

Anyone who has any information about the suspicious brush fires should call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311 or contact Detective Levon Stevens directly by calling 326-4646, extension 275 or e-mailing levon.stevens@hawaiicounty.gov. Parties with information can also call Detective Kayne Kelii at 326-4646, extension 281 or e-mail kayne.kelii@hawaiicounty.gov.

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