Hawai‘i Island police have initiated an arson investigation after four County of Hawai‘i vehicles were burned.
On Sunday morning, May 22, 2022, shortly after 4:00 a.m., South Hilo patrol officers and Hawai‘i Fire Department personnel responded to a reported vehicle fire in the parking lot of the Kamana Elderly Housing complex on Kamana Street, in Hilo.
Upon arrival, two vehicles we observed were fully engulfed; and two others were determined to be damaged by the flames. Fire department personnel extinguished the vehicle fires and determined that no one was injured.
The vehicles are owned by the Hawai‘i County Department of Parks and Recreation. The initial estimated value of the damages to the vehicles is $86,000.
“It’s a shame to think that there are folks in our community who would intentionally destroy vehicles that are
specifically meant to serve our kupuna,” said Mayor Mitch Roth. “We urge anyone who sees or hears of this
type of activity to report it directly to the police. We will not stand for it and will ensure that any individual who
attempts this type of egregious action is punished to the fullest extent of the law.”
“These vehicles were used for elderly transportation services and meal deliveries to home-bound seniors, so the
idea of someone setting them on fire is senseless to me,” said Maurice Messina, Director of Parks and
Recreation. “Over the last year, we’ve had numerous instances of vandalism at this facility, including vehicle
gas lines cut, catalytic converters stolen, and break-ins at the office and storage lockers. We are trying to
identify additional funds for security at the Kamana Senior Center, but our security budget is already stretched
to over $1 million island-wide.”
“We are in constant struggle with people who do not respect our public facilities and feel that vandalizing
County vehicles to steal gas or breaking into our maintenance supply rooms to rip off cleaning supplies has no
consequences. Every time we have to repair a vandalized facility or replace stolen equipment, it costs public tax
dollars which should be used in other areas like programs and services,” said Messina.
The Area I Criminal Investigation Section is continuing this first-degree arson investigation. Police have not identified any suspects in this case; however, are following up on leads.
Parks and Recreation is asking for public assistance to notify law enforcement immediately if you see active
vandalism or theft at any County park and/or beach. Additionally, if damage or vandalism is found at any
County park and/or beach, please inform Parks and Recreation as soon as possible at (808) 961-8311.
Police ask anyone who may have information about this incident to call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311 or Detective Blaine Morishita at (808) 961-2385, or via email at Blaine.Morishita@hawaiicounty.gov. Citizens who wish to remain anonymous can make an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300 and be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers does not record any calls or subscribe to caller ID.