Maui Woman sentenced to 10 years on prison for involvement in suspicious Central Maui fire

Krystale Kaneakua of Pukalani was sentenced to 10 years in jail on Tuesday by 2nd Circuit Court Judge Peter Cahill for second degree arson in connection with a five acre brush fire along the Maui Veterans Highway two years ago. The sentencing comes following a jury trial and guilty verdict on June 3.

The fire was one in a string of suspicious incidents reported on May 12, 2022 in Central Maui and investigated by Maui police.

Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Johann Smith recommended the 10-year prison term for Kaneakua. He said the whole thing wouldn’t have been possible without people showing up for jury duty, witnesses testifying, and people working together. He said, then, “we let the law do its job, and we get justice, hopefully.”

Co-defendant John Hlis of Haʻikū pleaded guilty in June and was sentenced on June 4 to one year in jail and four years probation, after agreeing to testify in Kaneakuaʻs case.

Police said the two were identified in surveillance footage, entering a store and purchasing a gas can, lighter fluid, charcoal and Lysol prior to the start of the brush fire.

During court proceedings, prosecutors reportedly said Kaneakua drove Hlis to the scene, and the fire started when lighter fluid was lit in the tall grass. Firefighters and Mahi Pono employees worked to keep the fire from spreading.

Kaneakuaʻs attorney, John Parker, noted that his client had no prior convictions and he had asked for a more lenient sentence.

In handing down the sentence, Judge Cahill reportedly reflected on recent wildfire devastation on Maui and the damage that could occur in dry conditions, noting the sentencing had to reflect punishment for the crime committed.