The man accused of starting the fire that engulfed the Kamalani Pavilion at Lydgate Park in flames Thursday night is being held on $100 bail. David R. Aguiar, 38, of Wailua, was initially charged with first-degree arson in connection with
The man accused of starting the fire that engulfed the Kamalani Pavilion at Lydgate Park in flames Thursday night is being held on $100 bail.
David R. Aguiar, 38, of Wailua, was initially charged with first-degree arson in connection with the Kamalani Pavilion fire. However, those charges were later changed to “failure to control widely dangerous means.”
Mary Daubert, county spokeswoman, said in a prepared statement that Aguiar is being held at KPD’s cell block because he is unable to post the required amount.
Thomas Noyes, general coordinator of the Friends of Kamalani and Lydgate Park, said he believes that Aguiar was seeking shelter Thursday in the pavilion and the blaze that ensued was accidental.
“It’s my understanding that he was using a fire to keep warm because it was a chilly night,” Noyes said.
The pavilion was built solely by volunteers in 2004, Noyes said.
Though the cost three years ago to construct the project was roughly $100,000, Noyes said rebuilding will be a different story, in part because the materials used were the surplus from another nearby project.
“We designed it based on the materials available,” Noyes said. “When we look at doing a redesign, we won’t have the stockpile of materials to keep in mind.”
Noyes said he plans to meet with Mayor Bryan Baptiste in order to hatch an idea of how to rebuild.
“I don’t have a figure, but we’ll be working with the county to move forward,” he said.
Forging ahead, Noyes yesterday went to the site to make a protective covering for the tile mural that wasn’t destroyed, he said.
When he was there, he found that members of the community who use the pavilion — some of whom do so for prayer and worship services — already have adapted.
“There was a church service in progress of a group who came previously to use the pavilions for service,” he said. “Instead, they were using plastic chairs.”
Noyes said he spoke with members of the congregation to solicit support. However, that’s not to say there hasn’t been a strong community response, he said.
Noyes said he has received an onslaught of responses from a concerned, thoughtful community.
“Right now, I’ve got 41 people saying they want to be part of the rebuild,” he said.
Want to help?
Contact Thomas Noyes via e-mail at
thomasnoyes@hawaiiantel.net or call 639-1018.
Those interested in mak ing a donation can mail them to The Friends of Kamalani and Lydgate Park, c/o The YWCA of Kaua‘i, 3094 Elua St., Lihu‘e, HI 96766.
• Amanda C. Gregg, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) or agregg@kauaipubco.com.
