Kunia Hassard was arrested and charged in relation to an arson incident at Ace Auto Glass in Hilo on July 25,

The following day, South Hilo Patrol officers located Hassard and placed him under arrest.

Yesterday afternoon, Hassard made his initial Hilo District Court appearance where his bail was maintained at $70,000.00 and he was ordered to appear for a preliminary hearing on July 30.

As the Complaint alleges, Hassard is charged with Arson in the Second Degree (set fire to and/or caused to be burned property in an amount which exceeded $1500) and Habitual Property Crime.

Arson in the Second Degree is a class B felony offense and carries a penalty of either a ten-year prison term or four years probation and up to eighteen months in jail. Habitual Property Crime is a class C felony offense and carries a penalty of either a five-year prison term of five years probation and up to twelve months in jail.

Prosecutors have provided notice that if convicted as charged, Hassard faces sentencing to a mandatory prison term and will not be eligible for probation.

The charges are merely allegations, and the Defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Heipua Ah Loy.

HPD Photo