CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / APRIL 27
Sen. J. Kalani English
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State Sen. J. Kalani English says he is installing a security video system at his home in Hana after someone set fire to his house for the second time in four months.
“This is clearly an act of domestic terrorism,” English (D, Hana-Kahoolawe) said by phone Wednesday. English expressed dismay over what he suspects as people turning to violence over political issues, although he said he’s not sure what those would be.
Maui police said someone used a small hand-held propane torch to ignite the fire about 7:50 a.m. Aug. 10 while English was off island. The torch was found underneath the home, pointed toward the floor, police said.
Neighbors extinguished the fire before firefighters arrived, and police opened a second-degree arson investigation, estimating damage at $2,500. No suspects have been named.
English said the damage might be higher because the fire left a weak spot in his living room floor that is crumbling.
On May 19, someone used an accelerant to start a fire on his back porch, causing smoke and other damage. Kalani said both fires happened in the morning while he was away.
He thanked his tenant, cousins and a neighbor for their quick action in putting out both fires.
