Firefighters were called out to multiple brush fires across the island on Sunday, including one that closed access to Hookena Beach Park.
Firefighters were called out to multiple brush fires across the island on Sunday, including one that closed access to Hookena Beach Park.
The Hookena Beach Road was closed for about six hours as firefighters tried to bring the fire under control. It was reopened while firefighters were still on-scene.
The fire started about 200 feet from the beach road and 200 feet from the access road, firefighters reported, and spread slowly. About 4:30 a.m. it had reached the point firefighters could battle it from the road. The coming dawn allowed both choppers to begin water drops, operating from a landing zone near the pastureland’s corral.
No one was injured and no structures were damaged, firefighters said.
Two private bulldozers cut a complete firebreak around the area and improved it to let the night firewatch effectively patrol the whole area.
They were aided by county water trucks that soaked the firebreak and area along the wall, while firefighters got into the areas where the turret couldn’t reach. The water trucks shuttled between the hydrant and firefighting equipment, allowing the crews to stay on station.
The helicopters used space near a corral to land, meet with command staff and let the crews take a break.
The fire was largely contained, but there will be firefighters in the area for the next several days to quell hot spots.
That is also true for the Lako Street fire, where two firefighters and one truck are responding to calls from residents about flareups.
Firefighters have asked that anyone with information about the recent fires contact Detective Levon Stevens at 326-4646, extension 275, or Levon.Stevens@hawaiicounty.gov.
People who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300. The information is kept confidential and callers may be eligible for up to a $1,000 reward.
There were reports of multiple fires throughout the county, including one 75 feet off Government Beach Road.