A 41-year-old Pahoa man faces felony charges for allegedly threatening to burn down the home he lives in during a domestic dispute Thursday morning.
According to court documents filed by police, Robert Kanani Armitage Jr. was engaged in a verbal argument with his 45-year-old live-in girlfriend, Nami Kekaualua, when he allegedly poured gasoline inside the house they share on Kahokumaka Loop near the Makuu Farmers Market.
Documents state Armitage’s actions caused Kekaualua to fear for her safety and that of her four children, who reportedly were present.
Armitage didn’t ignite the gas, according to documents, but police and fire personnel were dispatched to the home shortly before 7 a.m.
Police found a Bic lighter in the left front pocket of Armitage’s shorts when he was arrested, documents state.
Armitage originally was charged with attempted second-degree arson and first-degree terroristic threatening, and his bail was set at $35,000.
Armitage remained in custody during his initial appearance Friday in Hilo District Court, and Deputy Prosecutor Stephen Frye noted the initial attempted second-degree arson charge was reduced to attempted third-degree arson.
“Based on that reduction, the state would recommend that bail be set at $20,000,” Frye told Judge Barbara Takase.
Armitage’s attorney, Deputy Public Defender Megan Fellows, asked for supervised release, noting Armitage’s mother was present in the courtroom.
“She tells me if Mr. Armitage is released, he can stay with her,” Fellows said. “… In the alternative, he can stay with his oldest son by his previous marriage, who is not involved in this case.”
Frye requested bail be maintained “primarily based on the severity of this matter.”
“The defendant allegedly poured gasoline … in the residence and set the house on fire,” the prosecutor said, while Armitage shook his head in what appeared to be denial of Frye’s description of events.
The judge set $20,000 bail for Armitage, a truck driver with no prior felony convictions, and ordered him to appear for a preliminary hearing at 2 p.m. Wednesday.
First-degree terroristic threatening and attempted third-degree arson are Class C felonies each punishable by up to five years in prison upon conviction.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
