Judge: HI man accused in fire must quit smoking

[September 21, 2009]  WAILUKU, Hawaii (AP) -- A Maui judge has ordered a 19-year-old man who pleaded no contest to starting a restaurant fire with a flicked cigarette to stop smoking for a year.

Makaio Bachman-Majamay of Makawao was originally charged with third-degree arson for allegedly igniting the shake roof of the Wei Wei Bar-B-Q Restaurant in Pukalani in July 2008. A witnesses extinguished the blaze using buckets of water.

Deputy Public Defender William McGrath says his client didn't mean to set the fire.

Bachman-Majamay pleaded to a reduced charge of third-degree criminal property damage.

Second Circuit Judge Joel August ordered him to do community service and pay a $1,025 fine to fix the roof. He also told the teen not to use tobacco for a year.

"That means no cigarettes," August said. "Perhaps it will add about 10 or 15 years to his life if he stops smoking permanently."

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Information from: The Maui News, http://www.mauinews.com/

[Associated Press]

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