Reward offered to
catch cane arsonist
WAILUKU >> Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Co. is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and indictment of whoever is setting sugar cane fires, which have caused more than $500,000 in crop damage.
Company general manager Stephen Holaday said his firm wants to stop the fires before someone is injured.
"These fires have gone beyond nuisance, beyond a costly inconvenience," Holaday said yesterday. "They are a danger to firefighters, homeowners, businesses and nonprofits alike."
More than 17 fires have been maliciously set in sugar cane fields since March 5. The latest blaze was a couple of weeks ago, company officials said.
Acting Police Lt. Tivoli Faaumu, in charge of a task force investigating the fires, said detectives have no suspects and found no incendiary devices.
Faaumu said the fires have occurred mainly on weekday afternoons.
Hawaiian Commercial, a subsidiary of Alexander & Baldwin Inc., is the largest single sugar plantation in the state, cultivating more than 37,000 acres on Maui and producing 80 percent of the state's raw sugar.
Company spokeswoman Linda Howe said Hawaiian Commercial is a major contributor to Maui's economy, employing close to 900 people and spending $40 million in payroll annually.
The fires have forced the company to harvest crops before reaching the peak of their yield and to put off gathering crops ready for harvest, company officials said.
One of the largest fires occurred on Aug. 6 when 420 acres were burned near Haleakala Highway, forcing police to divert traffic for hours.
The company reward program is separate from the police CrimeStoppers program, which offers up to a $1,000 reward for information leading to the indictment of individuals for certain crimes. Those with information about the fires may call CrimeStoppers, 242-6966, or police at 244-6400.
