‘Iolani student suspected of setting fire and sending threat to school

‘Iolani School says one of its own students may have set a small fire near the altar at St. Alban’s Chapel this week, causing minimal damage, then addressed a note to the school’s headmaster threatening more fires if demands were not met.

School Headmaster Val Iwa­shita called the incident "unsettling."

He told parents in an email that the nature of the demands is leading school officials to believe a "young student" at ‘Iolani School is behind the incident. School officials declined to discuss what the demands were or why they suspect a student.

Honolulu police are investigating. ‘Iolani School spokes­woman Cathy Lee Chong said the fire damage was minimal. A cost estimate of the damage was not immediately available.

The fire damage was discovered early Wednesday. School officials believe the incident happened Tuesday evening, perhaps before the chapel closed at 5 p.m.

The threatening note was delivered to the headmaster’s office.

In an email to parents sent out Thursday, Iwa­shita said the school remains safe.

But, he added, the school has increased security as a precaution.

He asked staff to be on the lookout for suspicious activity and asked parents to discuss the incident with their children and urge them to come forward if they know anything about it. He also said while ‘Iolani is safe, "events elsewhere have shown us that we can only remain safe with the combined vigilance of everyone affected."

‘Iolani School has more than 1,800 students in kindergarten through 12th grade.