Arson declared in fire at Nanakuli school
Faculty, staff and students at Nanakuli High and Intermediate School are upset about an intentionally set fire that destroyed two offices in the administration building over the weekend.
"It's a very somber mood right now," said Flora Nash, vice principal for eighth- and ninth-grade students.
Fire officials estimated the damage at $400,000. Police classified the case as first-degree arson.
Firefighters responded to the fire at 10:17 p.m. Sunday. The blaze was extinguished by 11 p.m. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
The fire started in the accounting office and spread to the Nash's office, officials said. It did not affect classes yesterday.
Files were destroyed and Nash's computer is waterlogged. Nash said she feels the school was violated. "It's hindering operations of the school," she said.
The fire also damaged the school's phone system, which is not expected to be repaired until Friday. Calls can be made to the Leeward Oahu office of the Department of Education at 692-8000 to get in contact with faculty and staff.
Other administrative offices, including Principal Levi Chang's office, sustained smoke and water damage.
The school just underwent a year-long renovation project that was completed in August. Renovation costs were estimated at more than $1 million. To renovate the damaged offices is expected to take eight to nine months, Nash said.
Stephanie Borabora, a clerk who worked in the accounting office, said, "It's sad. It's just sad. That's all that is."
"We're just thankful nobody got hurt," she added.
"It's dumb what they did over here," said Micah Seiuli, a junior at Nanakuli High, of whoever started the fire.