(Update) Police Charge Hilo Man in Pepe‘ekeō Fire Investigation
Hawai‘i Island police have charged 33-year-old Kainoa K. Santos in connection with a structure fire that occurred late Monday night, Nov. 3, 2025, at an apartment complex on the 28-2900 block of Kumula Street in Pepe‘ekeō.
On Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 5, 2025, at 2:52 p.m., after conferring with the Hawai‘i County Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, detectives from the Area I Criminal Investigation Section charged Santos with first-degree arson. His bail was set at $100,000.
Santos remains in custody pending his initial court appearance in Hilo District Court later today.
Police ask anyone with information about this incident to contact Detective Joseph Picadura of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section at (808) 961-2375 or via email at joseph.picadura@hawaiipolice.gov. Tipsters may also call the police department’s non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311.
- Department:
- Hawaiʻi Police Department
- Division:
- Area I Criminal Investigation Section
- Officer:
- Lieutenant Derek Morimoto
- Phone:
- (808) 961-2252
- Report Number:
- 25-099544
