HONOLULU --
The fire that damaged a popular local clothing store in the Ala Moana area early on Friday morning was intentionally set, Honolulu Fire Department officials said.
The blaze at Buti Groove was first reported at 1:20 a.m.
The store is located on the corner of Kona and Piikoi streets.
The fire was contained to the front of the business, fire officials said.
Colleague and owner of the Hi-life design line Kyle Shimabukuro said they are not sure why the store was targeted.
"We have no idea, and hopefully we can find that guy," Shimabukuro said.
They are not ruling out the fire was politically or racially motivated.
Buti Groove was a strong President Barack Obama supporter. The store's original T-shirt designs one of the hot sellers.
Its window display had been defaced before this morning's fire.
"You can't take it personal. There are always things that are going to happen you're in a busy area. At nighttime, it's just a zoo out here with people getting wasted, having fun," Sabante said.
The fire destroyed one-of-a-kind shirts and original artwork.
Fire investigators did not have an estimate on the damage.
