Man Arrested on Suspicion of Arson in Kahului Fire Behind Walmart

A 40-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of arson after a fire burned an estimated five acres in a field behind Walmart in Kahului on Wednesday.

The incident was reported at around 1:17 p.m. on Wednesday, July 3, 2019 for the fire reported at the rear of Walmart and south of the Airport Access Road.

Crews from the Maui Department of Fire and Public Safety were able to extinguish the fire.

Maui police Lieutenant Gregg Okamoto tells Maui Now that homeless witnesses in the area claimed a man had intentionally set the fire.

Police say the 40-year-old man was located nearby and arrested for suspicion of second degree arson. He was subsequently released pending further investigation.

The cause of the fire is undetermined and the investigation on-going.

Kahului fire (7.3.19) PC: Mark Fillazar.