March 2, 2004

KAHULUI, Hawaii (AP) — A Massachusetts man accused of driving an SUV into Kahului Airport and setting it on fire was charged with first-degree attempted murder, and authorities were considering more federal charges.

Paul Blatchley, 52, who moved to Hawaii from Monson, Mass., last year, remained in police custody Monday as hundreds of passengers stranded overnight on Maui sought flights off the island.

"His act stood the chance of killing a bunch of people — more than one person," Maui Police Sgt. Jamie Becraft said.

Blatchley was also charged with first-degree criminal property damage. His bail was set at $220,000.

Francis Lobik defended his roommate and longtime friend.

"For one thing, he's not a terrorist," Lobik told Honolulu television station KITV. "He hasn't got a mean streak in his bones. He would never do anything like this intentionally. He's been under a lot of stress and a lot of depression lately."

Lobik and Blatchley operated a botanical garden in Monson and a dairy farm for many years before moving to Hawaii. Besides being severely depressed, Blatchley also was having financial problems, Lobik said.

"He bottled things up inside of himself and never talked about things," Lobik said. "It was a sad situation. I didn't know how to deal with it, neither did his family. We realize now this whole thing was a cry for help."

The incident, which caused no injuries and little damage, prompted state and federal officials to increase security at Hawaii's two busiest airports — in Kahului, where the bizarre situation occurred, and in Honolulu.

The state Department of Transportation installed concrete trash receptacles at the terminal's curbside near the ticket lobby to deter copycats. In Honolulu, officials installed concrete planters and large, water-filled barriers near the interisland terminal.

"It's sad it had to come to this," DOT spokesman Scott Ishikawa said. "One guy pretty much ruined it for everyone."

Arnold Laanui of the FBI in Honolulu said agents were still investigating the case but were considering charges under federal statutes including one regarding airport violence.

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2004-03-02-suv-crash_x.htm