Malicious Fire Damages Hawaiian Canoe Club Hale

Hawaiian Canoe Club, hale. Photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

Fire officials on Maui say a structure fire at the Hawaiian Canoe Club hale in Kahului was maliciously set.

The blaze, reported at around 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 26, 2012, burned a 100-square-foot section of the structure and caused an estimated $3,000 in damage, authorities said.

Witnesses told authorities that they saw a male in his late teens taking a cigarette lighter to the roof covering, said Maui Fire Services Chief Lee Mainaga.

The structure was damaged before the fire was brought under control by the activation of a fire sprinkler system.

Crews from Engine 10 and Rescue 10 out of Kahului responded to the scene and extinguished the blaze by 9 p.m.

A brand new outrigger canoe, which was stored in the structure was also partially damage.

The cause of the fire was declared intentional.

Hawaiian Canoe Club hale fire. Photo by Wendy Osher.

Hawaiian Canoe Club hale fire. Photo by Wendy Osher.