Two brothers were arrested yesterday in connection with a series of brushfires in Puhi and Lihu‘e that began Tuesday night. Hanama‘ulu siblings Joshua Wong, 24, and Michael Wong Jr., 25, were arrested early yesterday morning following tips from witnesses, according
Two brothers were arrested yesterday in connection with a series of brushfires in Puhi and Lihu‘e that began Tuesday night.
Hanama‘ulu siblings Joshua Wong, 24, and Michael Wong Jr., 25, were arrested early yesterday morning following tips from witnesses, according to county officials.
Police found the two in the Niumalu area and charged them with second-degree arson.
County spokeswoman Mary Daubert said Kaua‘i Police Department officers and firefighters from the Hanapepe, Kalaheo, Kapa‘a and Lihu‘e stations responded to eight brushfires that broke out between 10:30 p.m. Tuesday and 2:45 a.m. Wednesday. They were backed up by firefighters from the Airport Crash Fire unit along with personnel from the Department of Public Works. No air support was needed.
Affected areas included Halehaka Road and Kaneka Street in Puhi, Ahukini Road near the Kapule Highway junction, Kuhio Highway across from the Roberts Hawai‘i Tours base yard, Hanama‘ulu Road, Isenberg Park and Lala Road near Kaua‘i High School.
As of press time, all of the fires except for the Ahukini Road blaze were fully extinguished.
To report information about the brushfires, call Detective Todd Tanaka at 241-1694, Police Dispatch at 241-1711 or Crime Stoppers at 241-1887.
