A 50-year-old Kapahulu man was charged Tuesday with first-degree arson for setting his own house on fire.
Police had arrested Christopher K. Paikai at 10:50 a.m. Sunday on 4th Avenue on suspicion of first-degree arson.
He was charged by prosecutors Tuesday, and his bail was set at $100,000.
City property tax records show Paikai is one of the owners of the property at 3257 Brokaw St.
The blaze started with a vehicle fire in the garage at about 9:45 a.m., then spread to the two-story house, causing heavy damage.
Firefighters extinguished the flames in about 40 minutes.
No one was found in the house, although a man was reportedly living there.
Fire investigators determined the blaze was estimated to be $640,000. The house was recently put up for sale, neighbors said. Zillow.com listed the price at $1 million.
Search for missing scientist called off
Marine biologist and community activist Terry Lilley was found alive and well on the beach Tuesday evening after authorities had launched an air and sea search off the north shore of Kauai.
The search was initiated after Lilly’s green kayak was found 2 miles offshore at 3:40 p.m.
Lilley, 64, was located by the Kauai Fire Department around 5 p.m., U.S. Coast Guard Sector Honolulu reported. Officials said the search was helped by the fact that Lilley wrote his name and phone number on his kayak.
Air and ocean crews with the U.S. Coast Guard, Kauai Fire Department and Kauai Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Services were engaged in the search.
Man stopped from shooting himself
Police said a 45-year-old man at a Waikiki gun range pointed the barrel of a gun at himself Sunday night.
A 31-year-old male staff member intervened, attempting to pull the gun from the man. The gun went off during the ensuing scuffle, but no one was injured, police said.
The incident occurred at 6:50 p.m. The 45-year-old man fled before officers arrived. Police opened a reckless-endangering case, but no arrest has been made while police investigate.
