A man arrested in connection with six suspicious brush fires last week told police the fires were a woman’s idea to try to keep officers from apprehending her boyfriend.
John Hlis, 34, of Haiku was charged with second-degree arson for the largest and last fire, which was reported at 2:04 p.m. Thursday and burned about 5 acres along Maui Veterans Highway near the National Guard armory in Puunene. Hlis also was charged with keeping a revolver in an improper place and having a loaded firearm on a public highway. Hlis, who was arrested at 3:47 p.m. Thursday, was among three suspects that police reported arresting last week in connection with the fires. Krystale Kaneakua, 33, of Pukalani and Steven Sarol, 36, of Pukalani were arrested Friday, police said.