Landowners sue parents of boys who set Makakilo fire

The owners of more than 1,000 acres of brush and forest that burned in a Maka­kilo fire last summer are suing the parents of the twin 7-year-old boys who started the blaze.

Edmund C. Olson and Pale­hua Partners Joint Venture filed a lawsuit in state court April 10 against Troy A. and Debo­rah L. Wright.

Olson and Palehua Partners say the fire burned about 1,025 acres of their land.

Their lawyer, Paul Alston, says the fire forced the landowners to take property management action during the three weeks firefighters fought to extinguish the fire. He also said the forest contained native trees that will require replanting.

The Honolulu Fire Department said two boys playing with a lighter they found outside their Umena Street home started the fire Aug. 22.

Troy Wright, the boys’ father, read a prepared statement the following day acknowledging his sons’ involvement and urged parents to speak to their children about fire safety. He also said the family regrets what happened and that his children realize the consequences of their actions.

He could not be reached for comment regarding the lawsuit.

Initially the fire forced the evacuation of about 20 homes on or near Umena Street. Residents took refuge at Camp Timberline, which itself had been evacuated but reopened. As the fire spread, authorities evacuated some 20 cabins on Pale­hua Road.

Federal firefighters and crews from the state Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Forestry and Wildlife Division joined the more than three-week effort to extinguish the fire and prevent it from damaging homes.