Arson Investigation Launched into Māʻalaea Fire, Suspect Arrested

Structure fire at the Oceanside Restaurant in Māʻalaea (6.23.16) Photo credit: JonaBeth Russell

A 53-year-old male suspect was arrested for his alleged connection to a fire at the Oceanside restaurant in Māʻalaea on Thursday night, June 23, 2016.

The incident was reported at 7:15 p.m. near the rear of the restaurant.

Maui police say the restaurant was open for business and customers were inside when the fire started.

As the building caught on fire, the customers and staff were safely evacuated.

The Maui Fire Department responded and was able to extinguish the fire.

Damages to the building and its contents were estimated at $300,000.

The investigation is on-going.

Oceanside made its debut in the Harbor Shops complex on December 22, 2015, in the building that formerly housed Saltimbocca.