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Arson suspect to be arraigned April 1
A 27-year-old Waianae man will be arraigned next month on a charge of setting a series of brush fires in Nanakuli Valley on Feb. 27.
Clayton Pontes was arrested and charged with fourth-degree arson March 1 — a few days after the early-morning fires. He is free on $1,000 bond.
His arraignment and plea will be heard at 9 a.m. April 1 in Waianae District Court.
Firefighters spent three hours early in the morning on Feb. 27 putting out seven brush fires in Nanakuli Valley that fire investigators said appeared to have been intentionally set.
The first brush-fire alarm was received at 3:15 a.m. for a brush fire on Lualualei Naval Road near Mohihi Street. That was followed by two other fire alarms.
Firefighters were summoned to areas near Paakea Road, Mokiawe Street and Helelua Street. They found another fire near Paakea Road.
Blaze destroys Maui condo unit
Fire destroyed an unoccupied vacation unit Thursday night in Kihei, Maui, and displaced occupants in eight surrounding units, causing $1.5 million in damage to the building and $120,000 to contents.
It took Maui firefighters more than five hours Thursday night and early Friday morning to control the fire.
About 40 units at the Hale Kamaole vacation condominium complex at 2737 S. Kihei Road were evacuated after the alarm was called in at 9 a.m. Thursday. The fire was contained at 2:38 a.m., but the third-floor unit was destroyed.
Fire officials said they have not been able to determine the cause of the fire, but that it does not seem to have been intentionally set.