Arrests made in Hawaii LDS church fire

HONOLULU — Two Oahu boys were arrested in connection with a $2.5 million fire that damaged an LDS church building in Waianae.

The boys, both 13 and from Waianae, were booked as juveniles on suspicion of first-degree arson, police said.

They and a 12-year-old boy were also arrested in connection with a break-in at the same church four days before the fire erupted Sept. 12.

Fire damage was originally estimated at $500,000, but it increased to $2.5 million after an inspection of the church gymnasium, kitchen, library and offices. Other areas also sustained extensive water damage.

The Salt Lake-based Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is self-insured and will pay for repairs or replacement of the Waianae hall.

Until then, members of three Mormon wards who met in the building are meeting in the nearby Makakilo Stake Center.

The investigation into the cause of the fire included federal agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms because the blaze could have been a possible hate crime against the church.