Teacher allegedly hits, injures boy

Police are investigating a report of a teacher at Kailua High School hitting a boy with a hammer Thursday.

The teenager and his parents reported the incident Thursday after the boy received four stitches, police said.

A second-degree assault case was opened, but when officers went to the school, the teacher was no longer there.

Police said a hammer was thrown at the boy, who was hit in the head.

A call to Kailua High School’s principal was not immediately returned, but the Department of Education issued a general statement.

"The safety of our students is of the highest priority," said spokes­woman Sandy Goya. "The department has commenced an investigation into this incident, and pending the results the teacher is on leave."

Kalihi house fire is deemed arson

Fire officials have determined that a Kalihi Valley house fire on Thursday was set intentionally.

Fire Capt. Terry Seelig said the results of the investigation have been sent to the Hono­lulu Police Department.

A 42-year-old man was being held by police yesterday as a suspect in the fire, after neighbors chased and captured him as he left the neighborhood.

Neighbors described him as a disgruntled former tenant who had been thrown out of the house, 1561 Kilo­hana St., for drinking alcohol.

The house, used as a temporary home for recovering alcoholics, was unoccupied at the time of the fire Thursday afternoon.