Full Notification

Hawai‘i Police Department
Criminal Investigation Section – Area I
Lieutenant Rio S. Amon-Wilkins
Phone: (808) 961-2252
Report No.: 22-044436

Media Release

Hawai‘i Island police have initiated an arson investigation after four County of Hawai‘i vehicles were burned.

On Sunday morning, May 22, 2022, shortly after 4:00 a.m., South Hilo patrol officers and Hawai‘i Fire Department personnel responded to a reported vehicle fire in the parking lot of the Kamana Elderly Housing complex on Kamana Street, in Hilo.

Upon arrival, two vehicles we observed fully engulfed; and two others were determined to be damaged from the flames. Fire department personnel extinguished the vehicle fires and determined that no one was injured.

The vehicles are owned by the Hawai‘i County Department of Parks and Recreation. Initial estimated value of the damages to the vehicles is $86,000.

The Area I Criminal Investigation Section is continuing this first-degree arson investigation. Police have not identified any suspects in this case; however, are following up on leads.

Police ask anyone who may have information about this incident to call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311 or Detective Blaine Morishita at (808) 961-2385, or via email at [email protected]. Citizens who wish to remain anonymous can make an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300 and be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers does not record any calls or subscribe to caller ID.