FIRE CAPTAIN: Maui Job Corps Fire May Have Been Intentional

By Wendy Osher

Fire officials continue to investigate the cause of a fire at the Hawaiʻi Job Corps facility in Makawao , but say it may have been intentionally set, according to Pāʻia Fire Captain Ben Bland.

An estimated 50 people were evacuated from the facility on Ike Drive off of Baldwin Avenue following reports of a fire in the storage area of the main building, according to Maui Fire Services Chief Lee Mainaga.

Firefighters from Pāʻia, Makawao and Kahului responded to the incident, reported at 11:08 a.m. on Tuesday, March 11, 2014.

The fire was quickly discovered and extinguished by Job Corps staff, with an estimated $300 in damage reported to the structure and its contents, said FS Chief Mainaga.

Fire officials say the incident remains under investigation by an inspector with the Maui Fire Department and the Maui Police Department.