Man pleads guilty to courthouse fire: Agrees to testify against co-defendants

KAILUA-KONA — The man who was seen on film on March 3 throwing accelerant on a courthouse, then igniting it, pleaded guilty to the offense on Monday.

Kainoa Lindo, 23, of Honaunau, pleaded guilty to second-degree arson.

The plea agreement calls for 18 months in jail with four years of probation. Additionally, Lindo will be required to perform 350 hours of public service and write letters of apology to both people who were in the courthouse at the time of the fire.

Lindo had been charged with first-degree arson, conspiracy to commit arson, first-degree criminal property damage and two counts of first-degree terroristic threatening, stemming from the arson case as well as a later incident in which he was a part of three victims being accosted.

The March 3 fire was the date his co-defendant, Randi-Keli Banagan, faced sentencing on a probation violation. According to statements by attorneys, she seemed certain that Judge Melvin Fujino would sentence her to prison over the offense.

After the fire was ignited around 7 in the morning, passersby put it out using fire extinguishers before first responders arrived. Two employees were inside the building when the fire was set, but no injuries were reported. After the fire, Lindo and Banagan were involved in an incident where Banagan allegedly threatened three teenagers at the scenic overlook on King Kamehameha III Road, while Lindo served as the driver.

Part of the plea agreement calls for Lindo to testify, if necessary, against both Banagan and an uncharged third party, whom prosecutors say was present at the scene of the fire.

The offense carries a maximum of 10 years in prison and $25,000 in fines.

Both defendants have their cases in front of 2nd Circuit Judge Rhonda Loo, as the Big Island judges recused themselves from the case.

Lindo’s sentencing is 1 p.m. April 24.

Banagan had a pre-trial conference on Oct. 17, during which she had her trials moved to April 4 and April 11.