Series of 3 Brush Fires at Maui Lani Under Investigation

Photo courtesy: Troy Hashimoto.

By Wendy Osher

(Update: 10:00 p.m. 6/28/13)

Maui firefighters responded to a series of three fires reported in the Maui Lani area of Kahului on Friday evening, June 28, 2013.

The first fire, located about 200-feet west and above the Maui Lani golf course entrance was reported at 7:09 p.m., and burned a half-acre of brush before being brought under control, said Maui Fire Services Chief Lee Mainaga.

While responding to the incident, fire crews were dispatched to another brush fire at Mahaolu Street and arrived to find an acre involved, said FS Chief Mainaga.

Firefighters were also dispatched to a third brush fire, that burned an estimated 1,000-square-foot are, and was located about a 100-yards past the last residence on Kuihelani Highway, officials said.

The fires were called extinguished at 8:54 p.m. and remain under investigation by investigators with the Maui Department of Fire and Public Safety and detectives with the Maui Police Criminal Investigation Division, officials said.

No injuries or damages were reported.  Crews from various parts of the island were dispatched to help in the fire response.

The fires come on the heels of several suspicious unscheduled cane fires that burned 42-acres and resulted in a combined loss of $182,500 to Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Company crops between May 19 and June 18, 2013.

(Update: 8:30 p.m. 6/28/13)

Maui police reopened the Maui Lani Parkway at 8:27 p.m. on Friday, June 28, 2013, following a temporary closure due to a brush fire.  The closure was implemented at 6:45 p.m.

Details of the fire are pending release.

(Posted: 6:50 p.m. 6/28/13)

Firefighters on Maui are responding to a brush fire reported on Friday evening, June 28, 2013, in the Maui Lani area of Central Maui.

The fire forced the temporary closure of Maui Lani Parkway at 6:45 p.m. between the Kuihelani Highway (Hwy 380) and Hoʻoheno Street.

***Please check back for updates.  We will post once more information becomes available.