Puna man charged in connection with Orchidland Estates residence blaze
A 43-year-old Puna man was charged in connection with a residential fire during the past weekend at a property in Orchidland Estates owned by his father and where he and his family lived.
Hawai‘i County prosecutor’s office reports Conrad Keanini-Gomes is charged with first-degree arson, a Class A felony punishable by 20 years in prison.
Keanini-Gomes made his initial court appearance the afternoon of Sept. 15 in Hilo District Court, during which his bail was maintained at $100,000 and he was ordered to appear Sept. 16 for a preliminary
hearing.
Police reports say Keanini-Gomes and his wife lived in the residence where the fire happened Sept. 13. It is located in the rear of property owned by his father.
The blaze caused approximately $300,000 damage to the residence, $5,000 damage to a nearby vehicle and endangered 4 people, including 2 minor children.
Keanini-Gomes was arrested later Sept. 13 at Hilo International Airport.
The case was initiated by Hawai‘i Police Department Puna Patrol. The arrest was made by South Hilo Patrol Officer Krimsen Abilla and the felony investigation was led by Area I Criminal Investigation Section Detective Robert Kamau.
Hawai‘i Fire Department Fire Prevention Inspector Battalion Chief Royd Henderson handled the arson investigation.
The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Hawai‘i County Prosecuting Attorney Ace Agee.
