Fire burns 80 acres in Waikoloa

BY CHELSEA JENSEN

WEST HAWAII TODAY

cjensen@westhawaiitoday.com

A brush fire that broke out Saturday afternoon near Waikoloa Elementary School, consumed about 80 acres and forced the evacuation of a car show, according to Hawaii County Fire and Civil Defense officials.

The fire, reported about 12:45 p.m., scorched approximately 80 acres behind the elementary school spanning north behind homes along West Makuahini Street and Kekumu Place within the Waikoloa Village area, said Bill Hanson, a civil defense administrative officer. The fire burned mainly in knee-high brush.

The blaze did not threaten any homes, or the school, because of an existing roadway between that separated the fire from the structures, he said. The fire also did not force road closures.

However, the Waikoloa Lions Club’s “Island Fever” car show held at the school Saturday was evacuated by police shortly after the blaze started just as a precaution, Hanson said.

From the scene, Hawaii Fire Department West Hawaii Battalion Chief Steve Loyola said the show was ordered to evacuate, in an effort to reduce the crowd, but was never completely shut down. No other evacuations were ordered, he said. No injuries were reported.

As of press time, the fire was under control and contained, Loyola said. Crews had established a fire break around 50 percent of the fire’s perimeter, he said.

Firefighters assigned to stations ranging from North Kohala to Captain Cook helped battle the blaze, which was fueled by 20 mph winds that were constantly changing directions, Loyola said. The firefighters were assisted by county helicopters providing water drops.

Rain was forecast for the evening, but had yet to start falling as of press time, Loyola said.

Fire crews will remain on the scene throughout the night to quash any hot spots or flareups, Hanson and Loyola said.