Hawaiʻi Police Department
Kaʻū District
Captain Burt Shimabukuro
Phone: 939-2520
Report No. C15025811
Media Release
Hawaiʻi Island police have initiated an arson investigation in connection with a fire Wednesday morning in Ocean View.
In response to a 6:02 a.m. call, police arrived at a house fire on the 92-8800 block of Reef Circle Mauka, where firefighters were on the scene. Damage to the structure was estimated at $175,000.
Investigation determined that the fire had been set intentionally. Police arrested the occupant, 36-year-old Emily Smith of Ocean View, on suspicion of first-degree arson.
Detectives from the Area II Criminal Investigations Section will continue the investigation.