Woman, 43, charged with arson for allegedly setting fire to Kalihi business

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Honolulu police have charged on Friday a woman who allegedly set fire to a former used car business in Kalihi Kai.

Authorities said 43-year-old Lona Moore is charged with arson.

The large blaze broke out last week Wednesday just before 2 p.m. along Nimitz Highway.

Upon arrival, firefighters said they found three vehicles on fire inside an open-air carport.

Investigators had determined the fire as incendiary and it started in the carport.

Witnesses said thick black smoke filled the air.

“We saw a bunch of smoke and so I thought maybe someone was cooking food, but then I realized that it was a building on fire,” said witness David Alcaire.

The fire was extinguished about 20 minutes later and no injuries were reported.

HFD said the damage estimate is $60,000 to the property and $15,000 to the contents.

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