2 boys, 13, arrested in Waianae church fire

The teens are not church members; a motive is unclear

Police and federal agents arrested two 13-year-old Waianae Coast boys yesterday on suspicion of first-degree arson in a Sept. 12 fire that caused $2.5 million damage to facilities of the Mormon church's Waianae chapel.

The teens and a 12-year-old boy were also arrested on suspicion of first-degree burglary in a Sept. 6 break-in at the same Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints building.

The fire burned a multi-purpose hall used for basketball, volleyball, plays and church potlucks, and damaged half of the administrative offices. The library received some water damage. But the chapel and classrooms were left untouched.

The boys are not members of the church, said Honolulu police Capt. Frank Fujii. "At this time, there are no further suspects," he said, and no motive is known.

The teens cannot be tried as adults in this case, and would not be subject to the same penalties, because the new arson law under which they were arrested does not fall among the offenses under which juveniles could be waived from being tried in Family Court, said Jim Fulton, spokesman for the city prosecutor's office.

The teens face charges of first-degree arson, a Class B felony, under a law enacted this year. Adults convicted under the law face a maximum of 10 years imprisonment. Previously, suspected arsonists could be charged at most with first-degree criminal property damage, a Class C felony.

Juveniles who are convicted of felonies face a maximum detention to age 18. Family Court considers age, criminal record and other factors in sentencing.

Police Detective Gary Lahens said police and federal agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives "kept pounding the pavement, knocking on doors," hunting for suspects.

Lahens said they spoke to many people, and names surfaced that coincided with evidence gathered at the scene. Lahens said putting the physical evidence together was a tedious process, since much of it was damaged by fire and water.

Police arrested the boys at their school.

"I think we're very happy that we were able to make the arrests," Fujii said. "The community out there has been victimized so much."

Police said this was not a hate crime, and church officials are relieved the alleged arsonists have been caught and are not members of their congregations.

"I don't know them, but I feel for their parents and grandparents," said Ruben Paet, Makakilo Stake president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Paet was impressed with the work of investigators.

"As a church, we didn't really dwell on it," he said. "We don't harbor any animosity or ill will. That's not what we're about."

Members have been keeping a 24-7 security watch since the arson, he said.

The congregations have been meeting at a Makakilo location, but will return to the Waianae chapel sometime in October.

Brian Manoa, branch president of the Makakilo 2nd Young Single Adult Branch, said upon learning of the arrests: "I guess it's good news and bad news. We don't ever want to think someone that young could do something that terrible."

"In this case, I think it's good that they got caught," he said. "They got a chance to realize that people do get caught, and it can help them make better decisions in the future."

Cynthia Rezentes, chairwoman of the Waianae Coast Neighborhood Board, said, "It's unfortunate that these are 12- and 13-year-olds," but she is glad the suspects were found.

"I think only, with getting the right people who are responsible for these acts charged, that we can hopefully send the message out that this is not a prank ... not an innocent thing. This is serious."

Rezentes said after last year's rash of brush fires along the Waianae Coast, "I think a lot of the kids have gotten the message."

She cited the arson law and another new law related to brush fires that would hold parents or legal guardians responsible for a percentage of the cost of fighting the fire.

Rezentes said her cousin's daughter, a Nanakuli High School student, had told her that students were talking in school about the consequences of starting fires.

"I think that's going to reinforce the talk among the students that yes, they're serious about it," she said.