Arson investigation opened after gas can found near Waimanalo house fire
COURTESY HAWAII NEWS NOW
An early morning fire destroyed a caretaker’s home at the Waimanalo State Park.
CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARADVERTISER.COM
A fire destroyed the caretaker’s home at Waimanalo Bay Beach Park this morning.
An early morning fire described by a fire official described as “suspicious” destroyed a Waimanalo Bay Beach Park caretaker’s home this morning.
A fire official said there was a gas can discovered at the scene at 41-1055 Kalanianole Highway.
Fire investigators determined the fire was intentionally set and refered the case to police, according to an email from a Fire Department spokesman.
The two-story structure at Waimanalo Bay Beach Park, also known as Sherwood Forest, was undergoing renovations and was unoccupied.
The building is considered a total loss with damage estimated at $300,000.
Seven fire companies, with 26 firefighters, responded to the 3:40 a.m. alarm. The fire was brought under control 30 minutes later.
The home was the scene of a deadly stabbing two years ago when a teenager allegedly killed his foster mother.
Kaanoi Kipapa, then 16 years old, is charged with second-degree murder in the July 5, 2014 stabbing death of his adoptive mother, Jolyn Kipapa, 52. The incident occurred in the family’s home at 41-1055 Kalanianaole Hwy. Kipapa’s husband was the park’s caretaker.
The suspect remains in custody at the Kapolei Youth Detention facility, unable to post $250,000 bail. The Family Court on Oct. 30, 2014 waived jurisdiction, allowing the Waimanalo teen to be tried as an adult.
Kipapa faces a fitness hearing next month.
According to a police affidavit filed in District Court, the suspect hit his foster mother numerous times with several knives as she lay in her bed on July 5, 2014.
No one else was home at the time.
Police said the suspect admitted that he “became enraged and began to beat and stab” his foster mother numerous times with several knives.
The suspect said he called police and reported that he killed his mother, the affidavit said.
The medical examiner said the cause of death of Jolyn Kipapa was “sharp force injuries of the head, torso and extremities.”
14 responses to “Arson investigation opened after gas can found near Waimanalo house fire”
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Misleading headline SA.
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Why is there a “caretaker” with a beach front home at Waimanalo Bay Beach Park? There are no on- site caretakers at other more popular and used beach parks on Oahu. Something is fishy here!
Good question!
I always wondered that myself. Those restrooms weren’t always in usable shape either.
Do NOT adopt foster children. They are in there for very good reasons. Bad ones, too. Same thing for the Humane Society.
You are wrong about the Humane Society. Most of the animals are abandoned by their owners. The owners are the bad ones, but if they aren’t going to take care of their pets, they should give them up to the Humane Society.
Um, children have no say in the lives that their irresponsible parent/parents choose to live. You do a disservice to many innocent young children who find themselves in an environment that is not of their own making. These children deserve a decent shot at life, which many foster parents have successfully provided. Shame on you.
I also wondered why a caretaker was needed for Sherwoods. Then to top it off they are renovating it! Maybe they need to tear it down and get rid of this ridiculous caretaker job. Also the caretaker has been there for !^ years and getting paid for it. Makes no sense. The SA should explore this waste of money “job “.
agree..horror house
NALOgirl, you of all people should very well know the notorious reputation that Sherwood Forest has had for as far back as I can remember (guarantee, way before you were even born). Unfortunately, the presence of a caretaker is a necessary evil to at least provide a deterrent to criminal behavior in that area. Not always successful, but necessary nonetheless.
Exactly how is having one house on the whole property of Sherwoods going to prevent criminal activity? It is common knowledge that all the car thefts, burglaries and cars being broken into is from all the criminals that hide out a Sherwoods. I have noticed that property crime has increased, so the only thing protected is the caretaker ‘s house. You ever walk down Laumilo street and see all the broken glass? Yup, they live in Sherwoods. Its not like this caretaker patrols the beach at night, drug transactions take place on the beach all the time. Also, aren’t the police supposed to prevent crime?
Why can’t the story just be about the fire? What’s the matter, StarAdvertiser? Can’t come up with anything better than to dredge up the sad story of Ms. Kipapa’s death? What does it have to do with the fire?