34-year-old from Hilo charged with arson, threatening with a machete at Kona homeless encampment

Kaleb Paulus, 34 of Hilo, has been arrest and charged with arson and terroristic threatening for two incidents that happened on May 18 at a homeless encampment in Kailua-Kona, according to Hawaiʻi Island police.

On 8:50 a.m. on May 18, Kona patrol officers and Hawaiʻi Fire Department crews responded to a brush fire that consumed an encampment about 20 feet by 20 feet in the vicinity of Palani Road and Ane Keohokalole Highway. Fire crews put it out.

An hour later, officers responded to the same area and talked with a female who reported that Paulus was armed with a machete and carrying a gas can. She told police he threatened to kill her.

The woman also told police Paulus threatened to set property on fire and had told her he had started the fire earlier that day. Paulus had run away before officers arrived the second time.

On May 26, Paulus was located and arrest for second-degree arson and first-degree terroristic threatening. He also was arrested for two outstanding contempt of court bench warrants and an unrelated shoplifting incident that occurred at a Kailua-Kona store on March 26.

Paulus also has been charged with fourth-degree theft, second-degree criminal trespass and habitual property crime.

His total bail was set at $92,400.

Police ask that anyone with information regarding these incidents to please contact Det. Bradley Llanes at 808-326-4646, ext. 268 or via email at Bradley.Llanes@hawaiipolice.gov.