Arson

The section of Alder Street just past the driveway of the “old folks home” was closed off this afternoon. An entire crew of Hawaiian Electric was at work along the length of the State Juvenile Detention Center building.

State Juvenile Detention Center

In the community room of the “old folks home,” one of the “little old ladies” mentioned that there was a big fire down the street earlier in the day. A wooden utility pole was ablaze and an explosion (probably the transformer mounted at the top of the pole) caused an interruption in electric service. The senior citizens present in the community room at that time were distraught that they were unable to view their favorite programs on the small LCD tube.

Upon return from the evening outing at Ala Moana Center, an investigation ensued. The fire occurred in the same area where two beat-up motorhomeless minivans had been parked on a somewhat permanent basis. This morning, the minivans were conspicuously absent. There were stacks of “stuff” piled on the sidewalk next to the now-charred wooden utility pole. From all indications, there was another “sweep” of the homeless. In retaliation, the motorhomeless squatters abandoned their belongings and probably embedded a crude incendiary device before hastily departing.

The blaze destroyed the adjacent plywood wall of the Juvenile Detention Center as well. Perusal of the damage was limited because there were scavengers rummaging through the charred remains of the stacks of “stuff” left by the motorhomeless arsons.