On New Year's Day, Kaua‘i firefighters responded to a blaze at the Kai Olino housing complex, which was reported as a suspicious fire. Sources from the Kaua County indicated that the construction site fire was quickly contained, leaving the building's structure mostly intact and causing an estimated $15,000 in damages.
Teams from the Kalāheo and Hanapēpē fire stations were dispatched shortly after midnight and set to rapidly put out the flames. They encountered the fire at the base of the building's exterior, where pieces of wood had been set alight. Upon arrival, firefighters managed to extinguish to quickly control the fire, preventing it from spreading further within the building.
Fire inspectors, following the intervention of the initial response teams, noted the arrangement of the burning wood and a smashed exterior window. This evidence led officials to "believe the fire was intentionally set," as detailed in the county's press release. An inquiry into the incident's cause is underway, handled by the Kaua‘i Fire Prevention Bureau.
The unoccupied structure, part of the Kai Olino affordable housing development, sustained damage primarily in the area where the fire started. Community members with information about the incident are encouraged to contact KPD Dispatch at 808-241-1711 or, for those seeking anonymity, to reach out through Crime Stoppers Kaua‘i. Tips can be submitted via phone at 808-246-8300, online at cskauai.org, or through the Crime Stoppers Kaua‘i P3 Tips App.
Once completed, Kai Olino is expected to provide 75 new housing units in the Port Allen area of ‘Ele‘ele, addressing the need for affordable housing in Kaua‘i. Although this incident occurred at the start of the year, the project is planned to continue and provide housing for the community.
